US extension means return of sectarianism – MP

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Middle Alliance MP minimized the importance of an extension of the U.S. forces in Iraq, pointing out that the continued U.S. presence means the return of sectarian conflicts in the country.   MP Khalid Abdulla al-Alwani’s statement to IraqiNews.com, speaking on behalf of the Alliance, affiliated with al-Iraqiya Bloc, stressed the necessity of implementing the signed agreement between Baghdad and Washington, which is “a public, not a political, demand.”   According to signed agreement of 2008, the U.S. forces should withdraw by the end of this year. The U.S. forces controlled the security dossier from 2003 to 2007 .   He pointed out that “we have seen the spread of Qaeda and terrorist operations as well as a lack of security and sectarianism” through the previous periods.   “When Iraqis were handed the security dossiers, we witnessed a decrease in terrorist operations and sectarian conflict,” he added.   “If Barzani wants the Americans to stay, let them stay in Kurdistan, because the Middle Alliance and al-Iraqiya Bloc do not support an extension of the U.S. forces stay,” he noted.   Kurdish President Masoud Barzani announced Tuesday that “Iraq needs the stay of U.S. forces because it is not ready to handle security matters,” calling on the Iraqi government to “sign new agreement provided respecting Iraqi sovereignty.”   RM (TI)/SR 321