Iraqi leaders applaud withdrawal plan

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraqi leaders are applauding President Barack Obama’s plan to withdraw most U.S. troops from the country by August 2010.
Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi’s office released a statement Saturday saying he received a call from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton informing him of Obama’s announcement of the withdrawal.
“Mr. al-Hashimi welcomed the American administration’s commitment to withdrawing its troops from Iraq according to the agreed-on schedule and stressed that every possible effort should be exerted to increase the readiness of Iraqi security forces and improve their performance,” the statement said.