June 20, 2011Snip ~ Monday's meeting about the future of U.S. forces at Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's Baghdad residence was attended by the prime minister, as well as senior Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish politicians.
In a brief statement following the discussions, Talabani said another meeting will be held "soon" to come up with a unified political decision. He didn't set a date. The country's political situation and security situation were also discussed in the meeting, Talabani added, without giving further details.
Last month, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said American leaders asked Baghdad for an answer before August so they can start withdrawing soldiers and shutting down dozens of bases scattered across the country.
Few Iraqi politicians are willing to come out publicly in support of keeping U.S. troops in the country longer. Much of the Iraqi public harbours deep resentment toward the American government for the violence that unfolded after the invasion, and publicly supporting a troop extension could be political suicide for many political leaders.
Privately, many do support an extension. Sunni and Kurdish leaders are generally believed to want U.S. troops to remain. But hard-line Shiites who helped al-Maliki secure a second term in office last year have threatened to revolt if American soldiers stay past the year-end deadline.
