Australian troops to withdraw from Iraq by next July
17/12/2008 16:46
After the Iraqi government set a deadline for the exit of all non-US
foreign forces from Iraq by the middle of next year, Australian troops will
leave the country before the deadline, Australian Foreign Minister said in
Canberra today.
The Iraqi cabinet overnight approved draft laws, which still
have to be ratified by the parliament. The new timetable applies to all
coalition partners except the United States, which has a separate agreement to
withdraw its forces by 2011.
Australia, Britain and other coalition partners
have been negotiating with Iraq over ways to legally keep forces in the country
once the mandate expires at the end of this year.
Australian Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith said, "there is not much time left but we're working very closely
with (the Iraqi government) and we hope to bring that matter to a conclusion in
the next few days or week or so."
"I've spoken to my Iraqi counterpart,
making the point that a status of forces agreement or protections for the
remaining forces in Iraq is very important to Australia and we're seeking to
resolve that to our satisfaction," Smith added.
Australia has about 980
troops based in Iraq and around the Middle East. Australia plans to continue its
rebuilding work in Iraq even if its military role is downgraded.
Xinhua
|
