BRUSSELS (AFP) - NATO envoys failed to achieve consensus on how to fulfil a pledge to help train Iraqi security forces, diplomatic sources said.
"There is a debate and there is no consensus yet," said an official of the Alliance: "There is a very clear view around the table to start the mission as soon as possible but you have to get it right."
Diplomats said earlier Wednesday NATO was struggling to agree on how exactly it will fulfil its pledge on training Iraqi security forces, with France in particular blocking consensus.
The official said after the late Wednesday session of NATO ambassadors: "There are issues that still need to be discussed and clarified relating to the arrangements of the training mission."
"There are still many issues to be sorted out," said a NATO diplomat, after the fruitless two-hour evening session. The envoys had already convened for two sessions earlier in the day.
Diplomats said the sticking point is whether the training mission will involve a visible NATO presence on the ground in Iraq, as sought by the US administration.
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