Election dispute poses risks to security: Iraqi PM

Friday November 27, 2009 (1159 PST)

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BAGHDAD: The Iraqi prime minister on Thursday warned that a dispute over an election law likely to delay a January vote was a threat to national security, but said there was no need for American troops to delay their withdrawal timetable because of the standoff.

“Linking the withdrawal process with the elections is meaningless,� Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“I think the withdrawal schedule of US forces will continue as it is now and the American presence in Iraq will finish by the end of 2011 in accordance with the timetable.�

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