Iraq Prime Minister promises no delay in U.S. troop withdrawal

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BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's prime minister is vowing there will be no delay in the withdrawal of U.S. troops despite an Iraqi political dispute that is expected to force a January vote to be postponed.

But in an interview with The Associated Press, Nouri al-Maliki (NOO'-ree ahl-MAHL'-ih-kee) warned that the dispute threatens national security. And he harshly criticized the Sunni Arab vice president who vetoed a key election law.

The United States has factored Iraq's election plan into the pace of its troop withdrawal, including the end of the military's combat mission by the end of August. Still, the U.S. military has said the schedule is on track for now, and al-Maliki said the 2011 date for a full pullout was "sacred and final."

Most American forces have already deployed to outlying bases from urban areas.