Romanian president says plan on withdrawal from Iraq rejected

Romanian President Traian Basescu announced on Friday that a premier-backed plan to withdraw his country's troops from Iraq had been rejected.

Basescu made the announcement after the Supreme Council of National Defense voted against the proposal brought forward by Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and Defense Minister Teodor Atanasiu.

Basescu, a close ally of the United States, said the withdrawal plan "makes the country's foreign policy look inconsistent," and would damage its credibility.

Tariceanu unveiled the surprise plan on Thursday, saying the decision was made due to concerns over Romanian troops' safety and a growing trend by European states to bring home their soldiers.

Romania has around 890 troops in Iraq. Two of its servicemen have been killed in the Arab country.

Source: Xinhua