He also said that this decision is due to the fact that his government "don't see many possibilities that the UN will soon take over the security in Iraq as planned". He also confirmed that the "order of withrawal has already been given this morning". He also said he "could not ignore the will of the Spanish people". This press conference happened just a few hours after the new "socialist" government was sworn in. Meanwile the White House affirms that "they knew about this decission and that it will not affect the coalition".

See full articles in Spanish mainstream media (spanish language only)

- El Mundo:  http://elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/04/18/espana/1082303152.html
- El Pais:  http://www.elpais.es/

Or in the BBC:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3637523.stm