Sadrist bloc doubts U.S. intention to leave Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The spokesman for the Sadrist bloc, Ahmad al-Massoudi, on Thursday doubted the intentions of U.S. forces to leave Iraq according to the security agreement signed between the two countries. “The real intentions of the U.S have started to unveil themselves through its attempts to remain in Iraq,” said al-Massoudi in a statement of the media office of the Sadrist bloc received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “What happens is Iraq is the result of the U.S. conspiracy,” he added. 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. SH (P)/SR 1