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Obama and Maliki back Iraq post-war future Obama and Maliki back Iraq post-war future
(about 2 hours later)
President Barack Obama has said US and Iraq will enjoy a "normal relationship between sovereign nations" after US troops leave at the end of 2011. President Barack Obama says the US and Iraq will enjoy a "normal relationship between sovereign nations" after US troops leave at the end of 2011.
He met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Washington for talks on Iraq's future as American troops prepare to complete their withdrawal.He met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Washington for talks on Iraq's future as American troops prepare to complete their withdrawal.
Mr Obama confirmed no bases or troops would remain in the country next year.Mr Obama confirmed no bases or troops would remain in the country next year.
"Those days are over", Mr Obama said, adding that Iraq's sovereignty should be respected."Those days are over", Mr Obama said, adding that Iraq's sovereignty should be respected.
The Americans - and some Iraqis - are worried about an upsurge of Iranian influence, and perhaps a resurgence of the country's Shia militias, once the US troops have gone. There are concerns in the US over the level of Iranian influence within Iraq, notably within the Shia-dominated government led by Mr Maliki.
Both Mr Obama and Mr Maliki expressed their expectation that the countries would continue to have a broad relationship and an "equal partnership". It is a delicate issue for Mr Maliki, who essentially owes his position to Iran's support, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.
But Mr Obama said he was not concerned about Iraq coming under Iran's sway, including its stand on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Even if there are tactical disagreements I have no doubt those decisions are made based on what's best for Iraq, not considerations of what Iran would like to see," he said.
Syria dispute
Speaking at the White House, both Mr Obama and Mr Maliki expressed their expectation that their countries would continue to have a broad relationship and an "equal partnership".
"As we end this war, and Iraq looks to the future, the Iraqi people must know you do not stand alone," Mr Obama told Mr Maliki."As we end this war, and Iraq looks to the future, the Iraqi people must know you do not stand alone," Mr Obama told Mr Maliki.
Mr Maliki said the US withdrawal "indicates success, not like others have said" and that the two countries have completed "the first page of constructive co-operation".Mr Maliki said the US withdrawal "indicates success, not like others have said" and that the two countries have completed "the first page of constructive co-operation".
Iraq's foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari is also in Washington, meeting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Outside interference in Iraq would not be allowed, he added, but he said Baghdad will need to co-operate with the US and requires information-sharing, training and military equipment in order to ensure security.
Training needed Regional subtleties remain, though: Mr Maliki's government has taken a different stance on Syria than the US, one seen as closer in line to Iran's views.
While the US has called for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, Mr Maliki has warned of a civil war if Mr Assad leaves. Iraq also abstained from an Arab League vote that imposed sanctions on Syria.
'Blood and treasure'
The high-level visit comes as Iraq prepares to take responsibility for its security as US forces leave after eight years.The high-level visit comes as Iraq prepares to take responsibility for its security as US forces leave after eight years.
Speaking alongside Mr Obama at a White House news conference, Mr Maliki appeared confident that the handover of security responsibility to Iraq has been successful so far.Speaking alongside Mr Obama at a White House news conference, Mr Maliki appeared confident that the handover of security responsibility to Iraq has been successful so far.
"Nobody imagined we would succeed in defeating terrorism and al-Qaeda", he said."Nobody imagined we would succeed in defeating terrorism and al-Qaeda", he said.
The question of the US arming Iraq's military remains, with Mr Maliki saying his government has "raised the issue".The question of the US arming Iraq's military remains, with Mr Maliki saying his government has "raised the issue".
Mr Obama indicated he hoped the US would carry out joint military exercises with Iraq, but said first: "We've got to train their pilots". The US has sold Iraq F-16s fighter jets and Mr Obama noted that Iraq needs an effective Iraqi air force. Mr Obama indicated he hoped the US would carry out joint military exercises with Iraq, but said first: "We've got to train their pilots".
Talks were expected to include whether US troops can return to assist Iraqi forces, and the fate of a US detainee, but both leaders skirted the issue, saying only that the US military operation was coming to an end. The US has sold Iraq F-16s fighter jets and Mr Obama noted that Iraq needs an effective Iraqi air force.
Iraqi leaders admit they still need help to meet any threat to their borders and airspace.
Talks were expected to include whether US troops can return to assist Iraqi forces, and the fate of a US detainee, but both leaders skirted the issue, saying only that the US military operation was coming to an end.
Troops are due to complete their pullout by the end of the year, and no agreement has been reached that will allow American forces to return if required.Troops are due to complete their pullout by the end of the year, and no agreement has been reached that will allow American forces to return if required.
The US will retain influence, with a strong diplomatic presence and 150 military trainers in Iraq.The US will retain influence, with a strong diplomatic presence and 150 military trainers in Iraq.
While in Washington, Mr Maliki will also meet Vice-President Joe Biden and US lawmakers for talks which will cover issues relating to security, energy, education and justice, the White House said. "We've got an enormous investment of blood and treasure in Iraq," Mr Obama said, "And we want to make sure that even as we bring the last troops out, that it's well understood, both in Iraq and here in the United States, that our commitment to Iraq's success is going to be enduring."
It is Mr Maliki's third visit to the US since he came to power in 2006. The Pentagon had wanted legal assurance that US troops would not face prosecution under Iraqi law, something Baghdad was unable to provide, paving the way for the full withdrawal now under way.
Strategic partnership Meanwhile, Nato has also decided to withdraw its Iraq training mission by the end of the year after Baghdad also refused to give it legal immunity.
Iraqi leaders admit they still need help to meet any threat to their borders and airspace.
It is a delicate issue for the Shia-dominated government of Mr Maliki, who essentially owes his position to Iran's support, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad.
Although a small number of US advisers and trainers will remain, negotiations over a permanent legal deal to allow American troops to return stalled before Mr Obama announced plans for the final pullout
The Pentagon wanted legal assurance that US troops would not face prosecution under Iraqi law, something Baghdad was unable to provide.
Meanwhile, Nato has also decided to withdraw its Iraq training mission by the end of the year after Baghdad refused to give it legal immunity.
In an echo of the US-Iraq negotiations, Nato was unable to agree a deal with Iraqi officials despite several weeks of "robust negotiations", Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.In an echo of the US-Iraq negotiations, Nato was unable to agree a deal with Iraqi officials despite several weeks of "robust negotiations", Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
Prisoner dilemma
The Obama-Maliki talks were also expected to include discussions on how to deal with the final detainee in US custody in Iraq.
According to a report in the New York Times, no decision has yet been taken on the future of Ali Musa Daqduq, a Lebanese suspected of being an operative for the Shia militia group Hezbollah.
The US accuses him of orchestrating a Shia militia raid in 2007 that led to the deaths of five US soldiers.
The 31 December pullout deadline means the US is facing the decision about whether to hand him over to Iraqi custody or remove him from the country and continue holding him elsewhere.