President of the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, Massoud Barzani on Tuesday (06/09/2011), asked for U.S. troops to stay beyond the deadline until 2011 to avoid civil war. He accused Iraq's political leaders have been hypocritical on this issue.
"We think that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq are still needed, and all political bloc said this in a bilateral meeting, but when they stand behind their microphones to say something else," said Massoud Barzani in a meeting with representatives in Arbil-based Kurdistan abroad.
"If U.S. troops withdraw, the internal war (inter-group in Iraq) might happen, and foreign intervention will increase, as well as sectarian problem," he said.
"Iraq needs U.S. military presence under one name, because the Iraqi security forces are not ready to protect the security of Iraq, the military is not ready to protect the borders of Iraq, and Iraqi air force does not exist," he added. Under the terms of the security agreement between Baghdad and Washington 2008, all U.S. troops be pulled out of Iraq by the end of this year.
Iraqi leaders have announced on August 3 that they would open talks with U.S. on military training missions until beyond 2011.
Some Iraqi politicians have said U.S. troops should stay, including Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who said in July that, "What is here to coach and expert answer is 'yes'."
But most of them are very reluctant to extend the American presence in the open, because the action was extremely unpopular in Iraq.
Forces hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada anti-US as-Sadr, the Mahdi Army that has now been disbanded, had a fierce battle with U.S. forces in the past. He warned of "war" if American troops remain in Iraq.
Sadr's political bloc noted good results in last year's election, and with six cabinet posts and 40 seats in parliament, the group is an important partner in the national unity government led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department said the U.S. military stance has not changed and the American troops will leave in late 2011 as planned, but they will listen if Baghdad asked for a new treaty.
"We have heard many different opinions of individual Iraqi leaders, but they have a government, and we need to hear the same opinion of the government," said Victoria Nuland spokesman in Washington.
"Where has the Iraqi government will come - will go ahead and make a request for continued security assistance, we will be ready to consider it," he added.
"We think that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq are still needed, and all political bloc said this in a bilateral meeting, but when they stand behind their microphones to say something else," said Massoud Barzani in a meeting with representatives in Arbil-based Kurdistan abroad.
"If U.S. troops withdraw, the internal war (inter-group in Iraq) might happen, and foreign intervention will increase, as well as sectarian problem," he said.
"Iraq needs U.S. military presence under one name, because the Iraqi security forces are not ready to protect the security of Iraq, the military is not ready to protect the borders of Iraq, and Iraqi air force does not exist," he added. Under the terms of the security agreement between Baghdad and Washington 2008, all U.S. troops be pulled out of Iraq by the end of this year.
Iraqi leaders have announced on August 3 that they would open talks with U.S. on military training missions until beyond 2011.
Some Iraqi politicians have said U.S. troops should stay, including Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who said in July that, "What is here to coach and expert answer is 'yes'."
But most of them are very reluctant to extend the American presence in the open, because the action was extremely unpopular in Iraq.
Forces hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada anti-US as-Sadr, the Mahdi Army that has now been disbanded, had a fierce battle with U.S. forces in the past. He warned of "war" if American troops remain in Iraq.
Sadr's political bloc noted good results in last year's election, and with six cabinet posts and 40 seats in parliament, the group is an important partner in the national unity government led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department said the U.S. military stance has not changed and the American troops will leave in late 2011 as planned, but they will listen if Baghdad asked for a new treaty.
"We have heard many different opinions of individual Iraqi leaders, but they have a government, and we need to hear the same opinion of the government," said Victoria Nuland spokesman in Washington.
"Where has the Iraqi government will come - will go ahead and make a request for continued security assistance, we will be ready to consider it," he added.
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