Talks to extend U.S. troops presence in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Commander of the U.S. Forces in Iraq, Admiral Mike Mullen, has said on Saturday that Iraqi-American talks existed to conclude a new agreement for the extension of the U.S. troops presence in Iraq, after the end of the current Security Agreement between both governments by the end of December next.   “Both Iraqi and American sides are carrying out negotiations regarding the conclusion of a new security agreement to extend the presence of the U.S. forces in the country after their already-decided withdrawal on December 31st next, according to the current Security Agreement between both countries,” Admiral Mullen told al-Sharq al-Awsat Newspaper on Saturday.   Admiral Mullen said that “both U.S. and Iraqi forces agree that some loopholes still existed in the military potentials of the Iraqi Army,” adding that “the closing down of those loopholes would be discussed during the current negotiations between the Iraqi and American sides.”   The U.S. combat forces had already withdrawn from Iraq at the end of August last, according to the Security Agreement signed between Baghdad and Washington at the end of 2008. The remaining non-combat troops, estimated at 50,000, would end their withdrawal at the end of the current year.   SKH (TI)/SR  476