Iraq’s PM to consult Political Leaders about U.S. troops presence

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has said on Wednesday that he would call on all political leaders in his country and ask them about their willingness to keep American troops in Iraq or leave it.   “I shall call on all leaders of political blocs and ask them about their willingness to keep the American forces or their departure.. And if agreement would take place about their continuation, we shall discuss their desired number or venue; and afterwards we shall demand the Parliament to decide its position towards the demand,” Malliki told a news conference.   The Iraqi Prime Minister, meanwhile, said that “the government does not intend to run away from its responsibility towards the withdrawal or the stay of the American forces.”   As regards to the tension that took place recently in Iraq’s relations with the member-states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), now studying the enrolment of Jordan and Morocco to the Council, Maliki said: “We are keen to develop our good relations with the GCC’s six member-states, out of which five have embassies in Baghdad.. We don’t want to interfere in the internal affairs of Bahrain , or to create a regional crisis that might become a snow-ball that would develop into a loophole in the relations we strive to build.”   Maliki had announced on Feb. 27 last, two days after a large popular demonstration took to the streets of Iraq, a 100-day period for all ministries to improve their activity, services and put an end to mistakes, as well as the acceleration of granting radical services for citizens.   Noteworthy is that today’s (Wednesday) press conference had been the third news conference, held by Maliki   since his announcement of the 100-day period, with the first held on Feb. 28 and the seond on April 26.   SKH (RT)   491