Posted on 12/21/2007 2:19:54 PM PST by knighthawk
Baghdad (21 December) - Newly elected Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd says Australia will remain committed to Iraq even after it withdraws its troops next year. Mr Rudd was speaking on a surprise visit to Iraq, during which he met with his Iraqi counterpart Nuri al-Maliki.
Australia was one of the first countries to send troops to Iraq in support of the US-led offensive against Saddam Hussein's regime. But during his election campaign, Mr Rudd promised voters that he would bring the troops home. He has offered continued help to train Iraqi soldiers and police officers, but in Australia or Jordan rather than in Iraq itself.
Ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.