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US-Iraq security pact remains under negotation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-02 23:33

WASHINGTON  -- The United States and Iraq are continuing discussions toward a long-term security pact, US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Wednesday.

"Negotiations are continuing on a regular basis," Johndroe said of the US-Iraq security pact, but he declined to confirm reports from Iraq that Washington and Baghdad have "almost finalized" the security pact on a continuing US military presence in Iraq after a United Nations mandate expires in December.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said earlier in the day that a long-term security agreement between Baghdad and Washington is "almost finalized."

"I believe that we have achieved great progress in our talks and we have almost finalized the strategic framework agreement, which will improve cooperation between Iraq and the United States on a whole range of issues including the security one," Zebari told a news conference in Baghdad.

The United States and Iraq reportedly expected to finalize the long-term security pact by the end of July.

Although the White House has said the pact will fully respect Iraq's sovereignty, the pact has been criticized by the Democrats who allege that the Bush administration seeks to establish permanent military bases in Iraq.