Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Sunday reiterated that Australian troops will stay in Iraq until the Iraqis have the ability of looking after their own security.
Howard's comments came on the eve of an reassessment of the recent U.S. military surge in the war-torn Middle East country.
David Petraeus, U.S. commander in Baghdad, will give a report to U.S. President George W Bush, who will head home early next week from Sydney's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit, the Prime Minister said.
Howard told reporters here any withdrawal of U.S. troops would have disastrous consequences in the Middle East and beyond.
"Don't underestimate for a moment the blow to American prestige if America is seen to leave Iraq in circumstances of perceived defeat," Howard said.
"The impact of that would have lasting and incalculably negative consequences for the western cause not only in the Middle East but throughout the world," he added.
Howard said, "it was a very difficult time for the Unites States and Australia should stand by its ally."
Australia, a staunch ally of the United States, still maintains about 1,450 troops in and around Iraq.
Source: Xinhua
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