Ahmed Rasheed and Mohammed Abbas
Reuters
July 8, 2008

Iraq will not accept any security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the withdrawal of foreign forces, the government’s national security adviser said on Tuesday.

But the government’s spokesman said any timetable would depend on security conditions on the ground.

Their differences underscore the debate in Baghdad over a deal with Washington that will provide a legal basis for U.S. troops to remain when a U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.

But Washington played down calls from Baghdad for a firm withdrawal deadline, saying both sought greater Iraqi security.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday he expected to pull more U.S. troops from Iraq and stressed any decision to withdraw would be based on the ability of Iraqi troops to take responsibility for security and combat.

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