If we change a few words regarding the Syrian pullout from Lebanon we get:
US set to begin troop pull-back
Iraqi officials say the US will start redeploying its troops to the west of Iraq today in the first part of a two-phase withdrawal.
The Iraqi President announced the withdrawal plans on Saturday.
He has been under pressure to act on a UN Security Council resolution for all foreign troops to leave Iraq.
The pressure has mounted since the assassination of the former Iraqi Prime Minister last month.
The Iraqi Defence Minister has said the pullback will start immediately after a meeting in Washington between leaders of both countries to approve the US President's withdrawal plan.
While Iraqi opposition supporters are overjoyed at the announcement, the Syria remains sceptical.
Speaking on Syrian television, the Damascus director of communications said Syria would maintain pressure on the US.
He described the offer made by the US President as "half-hearted".
Pro-US groups such as the International Bible Society are not impressed by the announcement.
The International Bible Society CEO has called for public protests against the withdrawal.
"The President and the US, which is a UN member state, have the right to respect this international resolution," he said.
"But we as Iraqi parties and popular forces meeting today also have the right to reject this international resolution because it constitutes a flagrant interference in our internal affairs."
US set to begin troop pull-back
Iraqi officials say the US will start redeploying its troops to the west of Iraq today in the first part of a two-phase withdrawal.
The Iraqi President announced the withdrawal plans on Saturday.
He has been under pressure to act on a UN Security Council resolution for all foreign troops to leave Iraq.
The pressure has mounted since the assassination of the former Iraqi Prime Minister last month.
The Iraqi Defence Minister has said the pullback will start immediately after a meeting in Washington between leaders of both countries to approve the US President's withdrawal plan.
While Iraqi opposition supporters are overjoyed at the announcement, the Syria remains sceptical.
Speaking on Syrian television, the Damascus director of communications said Syria would maintain pressure on the US.
He described the offer made by the US President as "half-hearted".
Pro-US groups such as the International Bible Society are not impressed by the announcement.
The International Bible Society CEO has called for public protests against the withdrawal.
"The President and the US, which is a UN member state, have the right to respect this international resolution," he said.
"But we as Iraqi parties and popular forces meeting today also have the right to reject this international resolution because it constitutes a flagrant interference in our internal affairs."
Comment