BAGHDAD, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A spokesman for the U.S. forces in Iraq Sunday denied any plans for a complete withdrawal from Iraq after transferring power to the Iraqis in June.
The spokesman for the Coalition Provisional Authority, Col. Mark Kemit, said in a most of the U.S. troops would remain in Iraq after June 30, "and there are no plans for a complete withdrawal."
He said a total withdrawal of American soldiers from the Arab country would only come after Iraq "becomes independent and prosperous, and free from terrorism."
Kemit added that a quick withdrawal of the coalition forces that could lead to instability" in the country.
His statement came one day after U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said U.S. forces would not vacate Iraq after power of the coalition authority is transferred to an interim Iraqi government, and that the withdrawal would come in a separate timetable.
