Iraqi groups call for US pull-out

November 22, 2005

Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni leaders issued a communique which calls for a pullout timetable for the U.S.-led coalition forces and also calls the insurgency "legitimate". Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Shiite and Kurdish lawmakers and leading Sunni politicians were all present to present the declaration.

"An immediate end to arbitrary raids and arrests without a documented judicial order." is also demanded by the statement. The conference of leaders was part of an American-backed Arab league effort. The document included "calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops according to a timetable, through putting in place an immediate national program to rebuild the armed forces ... control the borders and the security situation."