Al-Maliki: We’ll decide when U.S. forces leave

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, confirmed to Vice President Joe Biden that the Iraqi Council of Representatives will ultimately decide whether the country needs U.S. forces to stay or not.   This announcement came in a statement issued by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office received by ArabsToday, which revealed that Al-Maliki told Vice President Joe Biden over the phone on Wednesday that the leaders of political blocs may be able to make a decision at their next meeting.   The statement explained that this would occur during the meeting and exchange of views on the latest political developments, and the issues related to the subject of withdrawal of U.S. troops at the end of this year, according to the agreement to withdraw troops.   The statement noted that the U.S. Vice President reiterated U.S. support for Iraq, and stood by the Iraqi government in its response to the different internal and external challenges, stressing the continuation of strategic and cooperative relations between the two countries.