U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates meets with Gen. Ray Odierno, left, commander of multi-national forces Iraq following a town hall meeting with troops Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, in Balad, Iraq. Gates urged Middle East nations to support the fight against terror Saturday then traveled to Iraq to meet with commanders as the U.S. prepares to cut its troops levels and begin to pull forces out of the cities. (AP Photo/Scott Olson, Pool)Commander: Some US Troops To Stay in Iraqi Cities
-- Yahoo News/AP
-- Yahoo News/AP
BALAD, Iraq – Despite a summer deadline to pull American combat troops from urban areas, thousands will stay in cities to support and train Iraqis, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Saturday.
Even with the mandate in the recently approved U.S.-Iraq security agreement, there have been suggestions some troops would not leave urban areas. But Gen. Raymond Odierno was the first military leader to acknowledge some forces would remain at local security stations, as training and mentoring teams.
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