US troops out within two years, says Iraqi president

IRAQ’S newly-elected president expects US troops to have completely withdrawn from the country within two years.

As Pentagon officials prepare for significant troop reduction early next year, Jalal Talabani said he was confident Iraqi forces could secure full control of the country within two years.

“I think within two years we can do it, and at the same time, we will remain in full consultation, co-ordination and co-operation with our American friends,” he told CNN.

“We are trying to build, as soon as possible, our military forces.”

Mr Talabani acknowledged that the time scale would largely depend on “the common desire of Iraqi people and American people”, but US officials have indicated that the prediction is realistic.

Two years since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the US military is concentrating on training Iraqi forces to defend themselves.

General George Casey, the top US commander in Iraq, has expressed optimism that if all goes well, troops could start pulling out within 12 months.

“We should be able to take some fairly substantial reductions in the size of our forces by this time next year,” he told CNN.

It is understood US force levels could drop from 142,000 to around 105,000.

Mr Talabani believes Iraq’s new constitution will be drafted by August 15 as planned.

And while senior US officials agree, they are also sounding a note of caution.

“We’re on track,” General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the New York Times.

But he warned that the insurgency is “still a very potent threat and kills virtually every day”.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, thousands of protesters called for the withdrawal of US troops in Baghdad.

Demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the toppling of Saddam called for national unity and denounced British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W Bush as well as the former Iraqi dictator.