Iraq’s Cabinet approves U.S. security pact
The agreement sets June 30, 2009, as the deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from all Iraqi cities and towns, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.
The date for all troops to leave Iraq will be December 31, 2011, he said.
Updated 11/22/2008: Iraq warns of consequences of early U.S. pullout. Iraqi Defense Minister General Abdel Qader Jassim said withdrawing before end of 2011 would threaten Iraq’s oil exports, enable neighboring countries to encroach on Iraqi territory, and give free reign to foreign spies. Moqtada al-Sadr, a militia commander, opposes the pact with the US.
