U.S. Plans To Keep Combat Troops In Iraqi Cities

BAGHDAD [MENL] -- The United States plans to maintain combat troops inside
Iraqi cities beyond the deadline set by a newly-signed agreement with the
government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.
Officials said U.S. combat troops would remain in Iraqi cities
throughout 2009 in an effort to maintain security. They said the Al Maliki
government would not object to the U.S. military deployment despite the Status
of Forces Agreement, which set a July 2009 deadline for the withdrawal of
American troops from Iraqi cities.
"We believe we should still be inside those after the summer [of 2009],"
U.S. military commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, said.