Iraqi Spokesman Calls al-Sadr A Man of Restraint

[ECH1969]

A spokesman for the Iraq's Shi'ite-led government says a quick withdrawal of U.S. troops "would be a great gift to terrorist groups." He said it's the "responsibility" of the entire international community -- including countries in the Middle East -- to help Iraq quell the insurgency.

The spokesman also described a leading anti-American militia leader as a man of restraint - on the same day that U.S. forces attacked followers of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

In a one-on-one interview with Cybercast News Service on Monday, Dr. Ali Aldabbagh, the chief spokesman for the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said Iraqi leaders understand the anti-war pressures that helped sweep Democrats to power in the U.S. midterm elections.

He said Iraqis are trying to assume control of their own security, but at this moment, Iraqi security forces are unable to do the job alone.

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