by Salam Faraj

BAGHDAD, July 21, 2008 (AFP) - War-weary Iraqis voiced scepticism on Monday at visiting US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's pledge to withdraw US troops from the violence-wracked nation if he wins the White House.

Several Iraqi civilians quizzed by AFP said they were doubtful whether Obama could make a difference despite the senator vowing to pull out the bulk of US troops from Iraq by mid-2010 if he takes office next year.

"This proclamation is a mere political stunt," said Abu Ali, 43, a resident of Baghdad's Sadr City, a stronghold of anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

"The American policy would not change with the change in the president, especially the military policy, which is planned by far-sighted commanders," the cigarette seller said.

Sadr and his followers from Iraqi Shiite areas, including Sadr City, have strongly opposed the presence of American troops since the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003.

On Monday, Obama arrived in Iraq as part of a Congressional delegation for a fact-finding tour to assess the latest on the ground situation in the country.

He has pledged to declare an end to the Iraq war from the first day of his presidency if he wins in November, and to withdraw most US combat troops within 16 months of entering the White House.

Obama, who voted against the March 2003 war to topple Saddam, visited Iraq in 2006 and is returning at a time when violence has fallen to a four-year low -- partly on the back of a US troop "surge" which he had strongly opposed.

Nameer Ali, 30, a trader from the Shiite holy city of Najaf, said Obama would be a successful president for the United States but was unlikely to make significant changes in Iraq.

"Achieving security in Iraq depends on the Iraqi government's ability more than on Obama," he said.

Backed by recent security gains, the Iraqi government has been demanding a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces.

Last week US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed to set a "time-horizon" for the withdrawal of the troops in a security pact currently being negotiated by Baghdad and Washington.

However some Sunni Arabs, once seen as supporters of the anti-American insurgency, said they felt that the Democratic candidate would be able achieve his promise to pull out the troops.

"If Obama becomes the president it would change the face of the war," said Khalaf Marhoon, 57, from the oil rich province of Kirkuk.

"I feel confident about Obama when he makes announcements of withdrawing the US military from Iraq."

But Kurdish teacher and fellow Kirkuk resident Gafoor Rasheed, 54, said Obama would be unable to change Washington's policy.

"I think, any new US president, will be unable to withdraw the forces from Iraq, because America is working according to a policy that aims to protect its interests in the region," he said.

But for others, the presidential hopeful remained a mystery.

"Obama who? I have not even heard of him," Mohammed Abdallah said as he stood under the scorching Baghdad sun.

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