Iraq encouraged by US reassurances, minister says

Iraq's foreign minister has told The Associated Press his government is very encouraged by reassurances from the Obama administration that there will be no quick withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Hoshyar Zebari says it is "very, very critical" that American troops remain in Iraq in 2009 as the nation begins holding a series of elections, starting with provincial voting Saturday.

He said Friday that Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had both delivered the message that there would be no quick disengagement, rapid U.S. military pullout or irresponsible decisions regarding Iraq. He said this was very encouraging.