'We are going to be present in Iraq': Clinton fires warning to Iran after U.S. troop withdrawal

By Associated Press

Last updated at 4:01 AM on 24th October 2011

The U.S. will continue to support Iraq as it moves toward democracy, Hillary Clinton said as she wraps up a weeklong overseas trip.

The secretary of state warned Iraq's neighbours - namely Iran - against meddling and said the U.S. and Iraq would remain close allies.

Clinton said today that the U.S. would continue its training mission with Iraq, saying it would resemble operations in Colombia and elsewhere.

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Don't get any ideas: Wrapping up an overseas trip, Hillary Clinton warned Iraq's neighbours - namely Iran - against meddling and said the U.S. and Iraq will remain allies

While the US will not have combat troops in Iraq, she said the American presence would remain strong because of its bases in the region.

'Iran would be badly miscalculating if they did not look at the entire region and all of our presence in many countries in the region, both in bases, in training, with NATO allies, like Turkey,' she told CNN's State of the Union.

Asked on NBC’s Meet the Press about fears of civil war in Iraq after US troops leave, Clinton said, 'Well, let's find out... We know that the violence is not going to automatically end.'

She added: 'No one should miscalculate America's resolve and commitment to helping support the Iraqi democracy.

'We have paid too high a price to give the Iraqis this chance. And I hope that Iran and no one else miscalculates that.'

Travel: Clinton toured a GM plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, today on the last day of her overseas tour that brought her to Libya, the Middle East and Asia

Earlier, Mrs Clinton said the United States would have a 'robust, continuing presence throughout the region, which is proof of our ongoing commitment to Iraq and to the future of that region.'

President Obama on Friday declared the end of the eight-year Iraq war at the end of the year and said virtually all U.S. troops will be brought home.

Some 200 troops will remain to provide security at the U.S. Embassy and other offices.

Critics of the president warn that by withdrawing its troops, the U.S. is giving Iran a chance to increase its influence in Iraq.

Senator John McCain, speaking from Amman, Jordan, told ABC's This Week: 'I'm here in the region. And, yes, it is viewed in the region as a victory for the Iranians.'

Critics: Republican Sen John McCain says he's 'very concerned about increased Iranian influence in Iran'

He added: ‘And I'm very, very concerned about increased Iranian influence in Iraq.'

Sen Lindsey Graham echoed McCain's criticism of the decision, saying the president was 'not being able to close the deal' with Iraq.

He said the Iranians remain emboldened with 'a shot in Iraq they would never have had otherwise.' 

He also expressed concern over Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Withdrawal: President Obama announced an end to the Iraq war on Friday, and that all U.S. troops would be withdrawn from the country by the end of the year

Graham told Fox News Sunday: 'The Iranians don't fear us at all. At a time when we need troops in Iraq to secure the place against intervention by Iran and the bad actors in the region, we are going into 2012 with none.'

The senator added: “It was his job, the Obama administration's job, to end this well. They failed.'

Mrs Clinton is returning to Washington today following stops in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

She was in Libya just days before the capture and killing of Muammar Gaddafi by rebels.

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