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PlusObama: Iraq Now Needs a Political SolutionObama: Iraq Now Needs a Political SolutionThe Associated PressIn his first in-depth remarks after visiting Afghanistan and Iraq, Barack Obama said Iraq's political gains lag behind security strides. Obama's travels took him to Jordan, then on to Israel. (July 22)[Notes:Obama in Jordan]In the first news conference of his highly publicized international trip, Barack Obama declared Afghanistan the central front in the war on terror.SOTBarack Obama"that is where the 9/11 attacks were planned, and today in afganistan and the border region of pakistan, al-qaida and the taliban are mounting a growing offensive against the security of the afgahni people while plotting new attacks against the United States" [Notes:file of Obama meeting officials in Afghanistan, Iraq]Obama's trip began with stops in Afghanistan and Iraq.The likely Democratic presidential nominee said his meetings in Iraq showed him that political reconciliation lags behind security gains. SOTBarack Obama "the message we heard from Iraq's leaders is that they're ready to do more and they're ready to take more responsibility for their country, and i believe the best way to support Iraqi soveirgnty and encourage the Iraqis to stand-up is through the responsible redeployment of our combat brigades" [Notes:troops in iraq]Obama reiterated his goal of withdrawing U-S combat troops within 16 months of taking office. Following Obama's meetings with Iraqi officials Monday, a government spokesman said the Iraqis support withdrawing U-S troops by sometime in 2010.That fits into Obama's timetable. [Notes:McCain in New Hampshire]But Obama's Republican rival John McCain says that if Obama had his way, the U-S would have faced defeat in Iraq.SOTJohn McCain"my friends, that would have been a catastrophe for the United States of America. He was wrong then, he's wrong now" [Notes:Obama in Jordan]From Iraq, Obama traveled to Jordan and on to Israel, a country he says will continue to be a strong U-S ally.SOTBarack ObamaObama is working to shore up support among Jewish voters, some of whom have questioned his commitment to Israel. ___ ___, The Associated Press.