US Ambassador to Russia Considers Long-term Military Presence in Iraq Necessary

US Ambassador to Russia, Alexander Vershbow, considers long-term military presence in Iraq possible "for stabilising the situation in the region".

"There are several variants of such presence," Alexander Vershbow said at a press conference in Moscow.

According to the diplomat, "the USA is ready to consider a possibility of involving NATO and Russia in the process." However, the USA will consider Russia's participation "jointly with NATO or in some other way," the Ambassador pointed out.

Mr Vershbow also stressed that "so far, the issue has been theoretical and it is too early still to make any forecasts." He believes these issues must be "seriously discussed at different levels, also in the UN Security Council."