| Iraqi Vice President Adil Abdul Mahdi has ruled out setting a timetable for the withdrawal of the multinational forces from Iraq, saying, "Iraq is in a state of war. The withdrawal of these forces would provide an opportunity for the elements that are committing the killing to return to power". In a statement to Asharq al-Awsat, Abdul Mahdi attributed the problems that Iraq is facing to the mistakes that were committed by the previous regime. He added that the foreign presence "is due to the practices of the former regime that destroyed everything". Abdul Mahdi called on the countries neighboring Iraq not to interfere in its affairs. He emphasized his country's support for Syria and said that Iraq does not pressure Syria and is ready to open a new page. He pointed out that Iraq will not abandon Syria "but Syria should not abandon Iraq. Sound policies should be followed and the mistakes of the past should not be repeated". |