US Agrees to Leave Iraq in 2011

Bilateral pact, which gives Iraq control over troops, must be approved by parliament
By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 15, 2008 4:32 PM CDT
US Agrees to Leave Iraq in 2011
The pact requires the US to withdraw troops by 2011 unless Iraq asks them to stay.   (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Iraq's government could soon be in charge of US troops for the first time, a prelude to their full withdrawal by 2011 under a deal now awaiting approval by Iraqi politicians, Reuters reports. The deal sets a firm timeline, and lets the Arab nation prosecute American soldiers for some serious crimes committed off of US bases—previously a major stumbling block.

The security pact, revocable with a year’s notice, envisions troops leaving incrementally starting next summer, unless the Iraqi government requests they stay; it replaces an expiring UN Security Council mandate. “Nothing is done until everything is done. Everything isn't done,” demurred a US spokesman. “The Iraqis are still talking among themselves. We are still talking to the Iraqis.” (More Iraq war stories.)

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