‘Don’t pull coalition troops out of Iraq’

IRAQ’s Prime Minister yesterday appealed to European countries not to withdraw their troops from the country and denied he referred to Europeans that did not take part in the invasion as “spectators”.

Iyad Allawi was guest of honour at a lunch hosted by the 25 EU leaders in Brussels, where they offered him a package of measures to help rebuild the country.

French President Jacques Chirac left before the lunch to attend a memorial for the late leader of the United Arab Emirates. Many saw his absence as a snub to Mr Allawi, a firm supporter of the Bush administration.