The Iraqi government asks the U.S. to extend its military presence in the country

Complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq is scheduled for later this year. "The agreement on the conservation of a U.S. military presence to help in training Iraqi soldiers and police, has now been largely achieved," – said the Iraqi ambassador in Washington, Samir Sumaidaie in an interview with a political blog Cable. He did not specify the new timetable for the withdrawal of troops, saying that everything would happen at a convenient time for the Iraqis. Earlier, representatives of U.S. authorities say they are ready to leave Iraq in some of the troops, but the initiative must come from the Iraqis.