Obama says US troop withdrawal backed by Iraqi gov't

Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama said on Saturday comments by Iraqi leaders calling for a timetable for withdrawal of US troops added weight to his stand in favor of such a timetable.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to San Diego, Obama said the United States should not commit to a long-term occupation of Iraq when it signs a status of forces agreement.US President George W. Bush's administration is in the process of negotiating such an agreement to regulate the long-term relationship of US forces in Iraq, more than five years after the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein. (Reuters)