Cleric vows attacks if US troops stay in Iraq
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A powerful anti-American Shiite cleric in Iraq with thousands of loyal followers threatened on Sunday that US forces who stay past the Dec. 31 withdrawal deadline are fair game to attack.
Iraqi officials, worried about a potential backlash if US troops remain in the country, have tried to portray any American force that does not withdraw as trainers of the still-growing Iraqi military rather than as combat troops. (AP)
