<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile — Iran protests U.S.-Iraq deal on troop presence

Iran protests U.S.-Iraq deal on troop presence

Monday, November 17, 2008 Free Headline Alerts

BAGHDAD — Iraq, after months of negotiations, has approved a strategic security agreement with the United States.

The Cabinet voted for an agreement that would enable the U.S. military to remain in Iraq for at least three more years. Officials said the vote was 27 to 1, with nine ministers not in attendance.

"The total withdrawal will be completed by Dec. 31, 2011," Iraqi government spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh said. "This is not governed by circumstances on the ground."

The Cabinet approval came amid heavy U.S. pressure. The U.S. military deployment must be endorsed by the 275-member parliament, which received the draft hours after the Cabinet vote on Nov. 16.

"We welcome the Cabinet's approval of the agreement today," the U.S. embassy said in a statement. "This is an important and positive step."

Iran and its supporters in parliament have opposed the agreement. The opposition has warned that the security accord would enable U.S. troops to remain indefinitely in Iraq.

"This agreement hands Iraq over [to the United States] on a golden platter and for an indefinite period," Ahmed Al Massoudi, spokesman for the 30-seat pro-Iranian Sadrist bloc, said.

Proponents of the accord, including the defense and interior ministers, argued that the U.S. military would be required to maintain internal and external security in Iraq until 2012. They said the agreement would limit freedom of action by American troops.

"The government wanted to make sure that the draft of the agreement safeguards the interests of Iraq and its people, with clear and complete timetables," Al Dabbagh said. "It is not the ideal solution for the Iraqi side or the American side, but conditions on the ground dictated it."

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