CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The United States is on track to complete the withdrawal of 20,000 troops from Iraq by mid-year, and further reductions will depend on military recommendations, U.S. President George W. Bush said on Saturday. Speaking after meeting his military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, at a base in Kuwait, Bush said security improvements in Iraq "are allowing some U.S. forces to return home". "Any additional reductions will be based on the recommendations of General Petraeus," he said. He urged Iran and Syria to do more to curb violence in Iraq.
A Palestinian demonstrator uses a slingshot against Israeli troops during a protest near Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin, January 11, 2008. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (WEST BANK) ...
