Iraq wants 'clear timeline' on US troops withdrawal

THE United States must provide a "very clear timeline" to withdraw its troops, as part of an agreement allowing them to stay beyond this year, the Iraqi foreign minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, said yesterday.

It was the strongest public assertion yet that Iraq is demanding a timeline. President George Bush has long resisted setting a firm schedule for pulling troops out of Iraq, although last month the White House began speaking of a general "time horizon" and "aspirational goals" to withdraw.

Mr Zebari said the agreement, including the timeline, was "very close" and would probably be presented to the Iraqi parliament in early September. Asked if Iraq would accept a document that did not include dates for a withdrawal, he said: "No, no. Definitely there has to be a very clear timeline."