Issawi, Hill discuss U.S. forces pullout from Iraqi cities

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Rafie al-Issawi and U.S. ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill discussed in a meeting on Thursday the U.S. forces’ preparations to withdraw from Iraqi cities in accordance with the set timetable, according to a release by Issawi’s office. “The reports provided by the interior and defense ministries affirm that the Iraqi security forces are ready to received security responsibilities from the U.S. side based on the status of forces agreement (SOFA) signed by the two countries,” read the release as received by IraqiNews.com news agency. U.S. combat forces are scheduled to leave the Iraqi cities and districts by the end of June within preparations for withdrawal from Iraq by August 2010, to be completed by the end of 2011 commensurate with U.S. President Barack Obama’s plan. Currently there are 143,000 U.S. troops and 4,100 Britons in Iraq. AmR (P) 1