"Your commitment to the cause of democracy in Iraq in training our security forces will help us stand on our feet and run on our own two feet," Talabani said at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

He said Baghdad ultimately wanted to see an end to the presence of coalition forces but only when the country was ready.

"If they pullout it would be catastrophic for the people of Iraq and the cause of democracy and it would be a win for terrorists," he said.

Dates for the withdrawal of troops will not be set as "a timetable will only help the terrorists."

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