WASHINGTON: Iraq’s new president Jalal Talabani on Sunday restated his support for a continued US military presence in Iraq, one day after large demonstrations by supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr demanded troops from United States and other coalition forces leave the country.
“I think we are in a great need to have American and other allied forces in Iraq until we will be able to rebuild our military forces,” Talabani told the CNN news programme Late Edition, saying he opposed setting a timetable for the US military’s exit from the country.
On Saturday, thousands of the Sadr’s followers marched through Baghdad chanting “No, no USA,” in what is believed to be the largest demonstration since US troops entered the country.
Talabani predicted Iraq would be able to reconstitute its armed forces within two years. However, he suggested, even after that the country will maintain a close security relationship with the United States.
“We will remain in full consultation and coordination, cooperation with our American friends, who came to liberate our country,” he said.
Talabani, an Iraqi Kurd, was elected president on Thursday after lengthy negotiations between ethnic and tribal factions in the Iraqi parliament. afp
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