The Iraqi government said Thursday that U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has called Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and confirmed his commitment to responsible withdrawal for U.S. troops from Iraq.

In a statement issued by Maliki's office, Obama pledged to Maliki in his call late on Wednesday that his country will "respect the sovereignty of Iraq and integration of its land, along with working together to ward off terrorists and responsible withdrawal."

Obama also thanked Maliki's government for its efforts in gaining parliament's approval of a security pact that stated U.S. troops will pull out in three years.

Maliki said he is keen to promote bilateral relations in the framework of strategic cooperation agreement that would serve the interests of the two countries, the statement said.

During his election campaign, Obama had said that he intends to get the American soldiers in Iraq home within 16 months after carrying the post of commander in chief.

Late last month, Iraq signed a key security agreement which will keep the U.S. military presence here for another three years.

 美国当选总统奥巴马１日重申，他将履行上任后１６个月内从伊拉克撤出所有美国作战部队的竞选承诺。

奥巴马当天在芝加哥举行的新闻发布会上说，他就任后１６个月内从伊撤出所有美国作战部队是“一个合理的时间框架”。他同时指出，伊拉克议会上周通过的驻伊美军地位协议使美国走上了从伊撤军的“顺利轨道”。

他说，在具体的撤军安排方面，他将听取他刚刚提名的国防部长人选、现任国防部长盖茨和美军参谋长联席会议主席马伦的意见。

奥巴马说，与撤军有关的优先议题是要确保驻伊美军安全撤离，以及确保在伊部队接管安全事务过程中伊百姓的利益。