Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari says two years will be more than enough time to establish security in his country. Mr. al-Jaafari spoke Monday in London, following talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He said his time frame depends upon the development and training of Iraqi security forces and establishing control over the country's porous borders.
The Iraqi leader's comments came one day after U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he believed the insurgency against Iraq's post-war government could go on for years.
U.S. General George Casey, who commands coalition forces in Iraq, said Monday that U.S. officials are engaged in preliminary talks that could lead to negotiations with leaders of the insurgency. But he said those talks do not involve the al-Qaida-led foreign fighters who carry out many of the most deadly attacks.