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UK troop reduction a welcome catalyst, says Iraqi president

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cal04 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-21-07 01:32 PM
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UK troop reduction a welcome catalyst, says Iraqi president
5.45pm update
The Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, today told the Guardian that Tony Blair's statement on phased troop withdrawal in the southern city of Basra was "a welcome catalyst for Iraqi security forces in the south and elsewhere to stand on their own feet".

Mr Talabani said Mr Blair's announcement to the Commons "had not come as a surprise to anyone".

His comments came as Iraq's political leaders, who have been pressing the Bush administration to allow Iraqi forces shoulder more of the security burden in the country, welcomed news of the troop reduction.

(snip)
Hakim al-Mayyahi, an influential member of the city's provincial council, said Mr Blair's statement was long overdue.

"Lately, they (the British troops) were not helping the stability of the security situation in Basra," he added. "On the contrary, their constant conflicts with the anti-British groups here was simply contributing to a negative impact among the public."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2018162,00.html
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