Iraqi leaders and U.S. military commanders there anticipate that American troops could start withdrawing this year, two Democratic U.S. senators who favor such a move said on Saturday after a visit to Iraq.
"The commanders on the ground, and Iraq's political leaders, suggest that it is appropriate to begin a redeploymentof American forces as early as some time this year," said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
"I asked the prime minister (Nuri al-Maliki) directly, whether it would be feasible and desirable, and he in so many words said yes, that it is something that they anticipate," Reed said.
Reed and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware spoke to reporters in a telephone conference call after returning from Iraq where they met Maliki, other Iraqi officials and top U.S. military brass in the country -- including top commander Gen. George Casey and ground forces commander Lieutenant General Peter W. Chiarelli.
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