Hassan Nasrallah is proved right - what will be the consequences?

U.S. signaling Gulf states it will withdraw from region by 2009

ABU DHABI — The Bush administration has hinted through diplomatic channels that the United States will leave Iraq and most of the Gulf region by 2009. Middle East diplomatic sources said U.S. envoys have repeatedly signaled that Washington plans to withdraw from Iraq and most of the Gulf region.

Several U.S. envoys advised Gulf Cooperation Council and other states to prepare for this eventuality, they said. "No such words were spoken, but Arab and Israeli leaders have understood that within two years, the United States will no longer be in Iraq or in the Middle East," one diplomatic source said.

The administration's strongest message of a U.S. military withdrawal took place during the Middle East tour by Defense Secretary Robert Gates in April. Gates visited Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia and discussed arms sales with all three countries.

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