Kurds are not concerned by U.S. withdrawal – al-Mufti

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: Speaker of Kurdistan’s parliament, Adnan al-Mufti, said on Monday that Kurds have no concern that the early U.S. withdrawal could lead a conflict between the region and federal governments. “We are not concerned by the U.S. withdrawal because we abide by the constitution and the law and I believe that the federal government is the same and we will find the right solution,” al-Mufti told IraqiNews.com news agency. “The U.S. withdrawal comes within Washington’s commitment with the U.S.-Iraqi agreement,” he added. U.S. President Barack Obama had announced on Friday (Feb. 27) his plan to end combat operations and start withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq on August 31, 2010. Obama made the announcement in a speech to military troops and officers at camp Lejeune (LEH-UHN) N.C. he said his administration will “proceed cautiously” on the withdrawal and that U.S. commanders will bring it about in close consultation with the Iraqi government. During his campaign for the presidency, Obama had advocated pulling troops out within 16 months of taking office. The timeline he announced Friday, involving roughly 100,000 troops, was two months longer. It still hastens the U.S. exit, nevertheless. Obama also said that between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will initially remain there to help train Iraqi forces and undertake counter-terrorism missions. SH (S)/SR 1