Obama urged to withdraw troops from Iraq

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has signed a Parliamentary Motion encouraging new American president Barack Obama to withdraw troops from Iraq 'as soon as possible'.

35 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) entitled "New President of the United States and withdrawal from Iraq".

The motion, put forward by Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, "…expresses the hope that the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States will lead to the commencement, as soon as is practically possible, of a safe, phased, withdrawal of US troops from Iraq; and further expresses the hope that this will lead to a similar withdrawal of British troops from that country."

Paul Rowen said: "When Barack AMA was elected it signalled a significant shift in the destructive Foreign Policy of the United States under Bush. Whilst it is clear that we need to be as careful getting out, it is clear that a withdrawal of British troops will only follow once America commences withdrawing their troops from Iraq. It is clear that the presence of American and British troops in Iraq is doing more harm than good. I hope that this motion will send a clear message that enough is enough.

"I have been impressed with Barack Obama and his election will make a real difference. The time for action will soon be upon us and we now need to responsibly end the war in Iraq that has cost so many innocent lives. Barack then needs to ensure that Iraq's leaders take responsibility for their future and to substantially use their oil revenues on their own reconstruction."