Iraqis express mixed feelings on Bush pledge

Iraqis expressed a mix of feelings today when asked about US President George Bush’s pledge to keep American troops in their country until Iraq’s security forces can stand alone, with some agreeing and others fed up with what they still call an “occupation”.

“Iraq cannot be stable if the American and coalition forces left it because Iraqi forces don’t have the required level of training to protect the country,” said Baghdad University engineering professor Moayad Yasin al-Samaraie, 55.