Afterdowningstreet.org
In a severe blow to US efforts to bring about stability in war-torn Iraq, Australia has announced its decision to withdraw its military troops from the country.
The announcement comes even as President George Bush in his last State of the Union address said that the al-Qaida is on the run in Iraq.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith conveyed his country’s decision to US secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary Robert Gates and Vice President Dick Cheney on his first official visit to Washington since Kevin Rudd Government’s election last year.