US extends stay in Iraq for some 20,000 troops

WASHINGTON (AFP) Apr 15, 2004
The United States has extended the stay of some 20,000 troops in Iraq who had been due to return home, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday.

"Essentially we've approved the extension of roughly 20,000 forces, people who are currently in the theater," he said. "The period will be for up to an additional 90 days in Iraq and up to 120 days' total deployment.

"Note that this does not represent a freeze on all of the forces that were scheduled to rotate out of Iraq," he added.

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