United States facing 'dilemma' over its occupation of Iraq

The United States is facing a dilemma over its occupation of Iraq, Indonesia's foreign minister said Wednesday. "We do not see an exit strategy about when and how the U.S. will withdraw from Iraq," Hassan Wirajuda said when asked to comment on U.S. President George W. Bush's State of the Union address.

"Before a total victory, America will not withdraw. We see this as a dilemma for them," he said. In the speech, Bush rejected calls for an early troop withdrawal from the country, saying he had a "clear plan for victory."

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Indonesian Muslim groups say that anger at the U.S. occupation of Iraq has made it difficult for them to foster religious moderation among their followers.

Several terrorist suspects arrested in Indonesia since the invasion have said part of their motivation was anger at the deaths of innocent Iraqis at the hands of U.S. occupying forces, reports the AP. I.L.