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November 31, 2008

Iraqi Parliament Approves Security pact With U.S.
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Iraq’s parliament has approved a landmark security pact with the United
States that paves the way for U.S. forces to withdraw by the end of
2011. The deal could mark the beginning of the end of a U.S. military
presence in Iraq that began with the 2003 invasion. The security pact
has been opposed by Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and some Sunni groups
in part because it allows U.S. forces to remain for another three years.
In a compromise, lawmakers agreed to hold a national referendum on the
security pact in July. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Malaki. described
the pact as one of the best achievements that will help recover Iraq’s
sovereignty.

Nouri Al Malaki: “We have achieved one of our greatest achievements by
signing the agreement of withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq, to get
back our sovereignty that we lost two decades ago, and I congratulate
the Iraqi people.”



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