Australias Labor Party asks PM Howard to clarify position on Iraq

Australias Labor Party has called on the countrys Prime Minister, John Howard, to clarify comments on committing Australian troops to remain in Iraq, even as troops of other countries are leaving.

Sydney, Aug.25 : Australia's Labor Party has called on the country's Prime Minister, John Howard, to clarify comments on committing Australian troops to remain in Iraq, even as troops of other countries are leaving.

"Its now imperative for the prime minister to clarify what he means when he says Australian troops may remain in Iraq even though the US and British may commit to a phase withdrawal," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Labor's foreign affairs spokesman Robert McClelland, as saying.

"We could be the last ones holding the baby in an Iraq civil war," he warned

McClelland said Howard may be sounding tough and single minded on the Iraq issue in an election year, but this would prevent him from recognising and acknowledging that his unconditional strategy is failing in Iraq.

ANI