The United States risks failing in its duty to Iraq by withdrawing its troops while the country is still in chaos and terrorists "come and go as they please".
Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad told Vatican Radio: "We desire, we ask, and we scream for peace and security."
US combat troops are scheduled to leave Iraq at the end of the month, formally ending Operation Iraqi Freedom. About 50,000 US troops will remain in Iraq until the end of 2011 to continue training and assisting Iraqi security forces.
