Archangel
2009-03-01 21:10:22 UTC
Iran says US planning 'long-term stay' in Iraq
Feb 28 02:31 PM US/Eastern
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday accused
Washington of planning a "long-term stay" in Iraq after US President
Barrack Obama said up to 50,000 combat troops will remain until 2011.
"The occupiers are preparing the ground for their long-term stay in Iraq
which is a great danger and the Iraqi authorities should be aware of
this danger," Khamenei told visiting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, the
ISNA news agency reported.
"The occupying troops should exit Iraq as soon as possible, since any
day of delay is a loss for the Iraqi people," he was quoted as telling
the Iraqi leader. "The presence of US and British forces and advisers
harms Iraq."
Shiite majority Iran has always been vocal in demanding the withdrawal
of foreign troops from its neighbour, where Shiites are also the biggest
community.
Obama on Friday ordered an end within 18 months to US military
operations in Iraq.
However he also said up to US 50,000 troops, compared with the current
142,000-strong force, will remain until the end of 2011, nearly nine
years after his predecessor George W. Bush ordered an invasion to topple
Saddam Hussein.
Archangel.
Change you can believe in.
Feb 28 02:31 PM US/Eastern
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday accused
Washington of planning a "long-term stay" in Iraq after US President
Barrack Obama said up to 50,000 combat troops will remain until 2011.
"The occupiers are preparing the ground for their long-term stay in Iraq
which is a great danger and the Iraqi authorities should be aware of
this danger," Khamenei told visiting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, the
ISNA news agency reported.
"The occupying troops should exit Iraq as soon as possible, since any
day of delay is a loss for the Iraqi people," he was quoted as telling
the Iraqi leader. "The presence of US and British forces and advisers
harms Iraq."
Shiite majority Iran has always been vocal in demanding the withdrawal
of foreign troops from its neighbour, where Shiites are also the biggest
community.
Obama on Friday ordered an end within 18 months to US military
operations in Iraq.
However he also said up to US 50,000 troops, compared with the current
142,000-strong force, will remain until the end of 2011, nearly nine
years after his predecessor George W. Bush ordered an invasion to topple
Saddam Hussein.
Archangel.
Change you can believe in.