The top American military officer said today that any agreement to keep US forces in Iraq past a 2011 deadline would be reached only after Iraqi officials form a new government a laborious process that began after parliamentary elections in March.
After meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Adm. Mike Mullen congratulated al-Maliki for what Mullen called steady progress to build a government representing the country's diverse ethnic and religious groups.
Mr Al-Maliki will lead that government after months of horse-trading and political paralysis. He must announce the nation's new leaders by December 25 under a deadline required by Iraq's constitution.
"He's the Prime Minister, he's got to work though some of these details and he's doing it," Mr Mullen told reporters during a Christmas season visit with troops.
Mr Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, met with Mr al-Maliki for about 20 minutes and discussed what the two countries' military relationship might be after the scheduled withdrawal of US forces in 2011.
"I would not prognosticate that it's force level A, B or C," Mr Mullen said later.
The US military has an agreement with the Iraqi government to leave by the end of 2011. However, US defense secretary Robert Gates says he is open to the idea of keeping troops in Iraq past that deadline if Iraq requests it.
A military official familiar with the meeting said Mr Mullen and Mr al-Maliki did not discuss specifics, such as the possibility of a residual US force after the agreed-upon exit deadline