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Iraq troop withdrawal is 'aspirational goal'

19/07/2008

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino has said the US would not commit to a fixed timetable for withdrawing forces from Iraq.

In a statement on negotiations between American president George Bush and Iraqi president Nouri Maliki, the president's press secretary said conditions on the ground would determine the US presence in the country.

Ms Perino said an "arbitrary date" would not be set for pulling out troops from the Middle Eastern country but added that significant security improvements had nevertheless been achieved.

She stated: "Improving conditions should allow for the agreements now under negotiation to include a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals - such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of US combat forces from Iraq."

The two heads of state are engaged in discussions over the length of the presence of US troops in the country - whose United Nations mandate will end on December 31st this year.

Ms Perino added that the two leaders recognised the important role played by Iraqi forces in maintaining security and also agreed that US forces should continue their overwatch rule alongside local forces.