Iraqi PM Maliki Now Supports US "Withdrawal Agreement", Source Says

BAGHDAD -- Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki has informed Iraq's presidency council that he now supports a security agreement with the United States, a Shiite Muslim legislator who's close to the premier said Friday.

Lawmaker Sami al Askari said that Maliki had declared his backing for the controversial accord at a meeting last week with Iraq's president and vice presidents. The only person who dissented was the Sunni vice president, Tariq al Hashimi.

Askari said Maliki planned to address the nation in coming days to ask for the people's support of the agreement, which Iraqi officials now call the "withdrawal agreement."

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Comments

[ftprairiedog]

Maliki, you just turned your country into the next Palestine.

[sonoffestus]

None of this matters, because when we finally leave or are thrown out the blood bath begins.
We haven't seen anything yet. History will not be kind.

[sixx]

It was an offer he couldn't refuse.

[SmellyOne]

Why does this subject recieve so few comments these days on HuffPo?

A) Because we're not leaving with our tail between our legs
B) Because it's no longer politically necessary to be against our presence in Iraq
C) Because it turns out you CAN win an occupation...
D) All of the Above

[SamEllison]

No Stinky, the policy we have been advocating is being implemented.
This sure ain't STAY THE COURSE!!!!!!!

[SmellyOne]

No, the policy YOU have been advocating was leave Iraq no matter what the conditions on the ground say.

GW's strategy was to leave when the conditions on the ground allowed it.

Now that the conditions on the ground allow us to leave, you can't come along and say "See, they're finally doing what WE said, we were right all along!".

What GW did was STAY THE COURSE until it had run it's course. It's plain as day, and that is why there are so few comments here.

[ajax2]

"Because it turns out you CAN win an occupation..."

Only a Republican could call this slaughter a victory.

[1differentdrummer]

Don't you get dizzy when you spin like that? We don't belong there, we never have belonged there. 2011 is strangely like sixteen months, isn't it? The Bush/McCain strategery would have made Iraq much like herpes, the gift that keeps on giving. Win an occupation? Surely you jest.

[truthforme]

You're extremely deluded if you think this is a "win"

[SmellyOne]

For the record, I'm not advocating any particular answer. Especially C. That's a philosophical question where there is no right or wrong answer.

I should have included an answer choice E) None of the Above, explain why.

That's a pretty good multiple choice question with E included.

PEACE.

[helonias]

I guess he got a pallet of hundreds

[jahzilla]

How many (more) billions of US TAXPAYER money has Bush promised simply to have ANYTHING positive said of his miserable existence.

It's gone well past the point that The Founders would have "invited" this joke outside for a turn or two.

[bayviking]

First the foriegn leader objects to a US position.

Then the US bribes him into compliance.

Hey, its cheaper than sending in the Military.

[NobodysPoodle]

It's been real, it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun.

See you. Bags are packed, lets go before someone changes their mind.

[Killjoy]

This guy reminds me of John McCain. Indecisive

[BurtR]

remember, this agreement is being negotiated under the Bush admin. if everything does not end up sweetness and light don't blame Obama. this reminds me of the Somali move that Bush 41 made at the end of his term which Clinton inherited and resulted in a deadly fiasco

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

It's obvious that Maliki would not have trusted a McCain administration to end the war. I'm positive that's why he is for the agreement now.

[Americano]

Why does Bush care about the time table for leaving Iraq. I do not understand. Ten years from now, with Obama as President, American will be independent of oil needs. America will be looking at Iraq totally directly.