Iraq's interim President Ghazi al-Yawar says it would be "complete nonsense" to ask foreign troops to leave the country now, but he says some could depart by the end of this year.
At a news conference today, Tuesday, Mr. al-Yawar said foreign forces should leave only after Iraq's security forces are built up and the security situation has improved.
There are now about 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, as well as about 20,000 troops from several other countries.
Meanwhile, more than 200 election workers are at election headquarters in Baghdad, compiling results from Sunday's historic vote.
And some election security measures have been eased. The country's borders were reopened today, as well as Baghdad international airport. However, there has been some violence. In the northern city of Irbil, two policemen were killed by a roadside bomb.
At a news conference today, Tuesday, Mr. al-Yawar said foreign forces should leave only after Iraq's security forces are built up and the security situation has improved.
There are now about 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, as well as about 20,000 troops from several other countries.
Meanwhile, more than 200 election workers are at election headquarters in Baghdad, compiling results from Sunday's historic vote.
And some election security measures have been eased. The country's borders were reopened today, as well as Baghdad international airport. However, there has been some violence. In the northern city of Irbil, two policemen were killed by a roadside bomb.