Thursday, August 21, 2008
Draft deal gives US legal basis to remain in Iraq
IRAQ: BAGHDAD – US and Iraqi negotiators completed a draft deal yesterday to give US troops a legal basis to stay in Iraq after 2008, without setting out a timetable for their withdrawal, Iraq’s top negotiator said.
The White House denied that the long-awaited deal – which will replace a UN Security Council resolution that now provides the basis for the US presence – had been finalised.
"The delegations finished the draft which now goes to the political leaders for discussions," chief Iraqi negotiator Mohammed al-Haj Hamoud said. Iraq’s political leadership must approve it and submit it to parliament.
He said the draft did not spell out a timetable for withdrawal and also left unresolved the question of whether US troops would be subject to Iraqi law. – ( Reuters )
© 2008 The Irish Times
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Draft deal gives US legal basis to remain in Iraq
IRAQ: BAGHDAD – US and Iraqi negotiators completed a draft deal yesterday to give US troops a legal basis to stay in Iraq after 2008, without setting out a timetable for their withdrawal, Iraq’s top negotiator said.
The White House denied that the long-awaited deal – which will replace a UN Security Council resolution that now provides the basis for the US presence – had been finalised.
"The delegations finished the draft which now goes to the political leaders for discussions," chief Iraqi negotiator Mohammed al-Haj Hamoud said. Iraq’s political leadership must approve it and submit it to parliament.
He said the draft did not spell out a timetable for withdrawal and also left unresolved the question of whether US troops would be subject to Iraqi law. – ( Reuters )
© 2008 The Irish Times
