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Maliki, US Reach Deal on Troops

Breakthrough sets stage for vote to have Americans out in 2011

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2008 1:30 PM CST

(Newser) – Nouri al-Maliki has thrown his support behind the latest version of a proposed US-Iraqi security pact and will urge his Cabinet members to do the same, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Iraqi prime minister’s support represents a huge step in the contentious negotiations to replace an expiring UN mandate. Under the deal, US troops would be out by the end of 2011.

Along with the withdrawal timeline, the proposed agreement would lay out guidelines for US military conduct in Iraq. Maliki’s support comes in the wake of two key changes to the plan: one to keep US troops out of cities after June 2009 and another to require troops to get permission from the Iraqi government before searching homes. If Maliki's Cabinet approves, the deal then goes to parliament.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks to the news media in al-Zawra park in Baghdad, Iraq on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks to the media after meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, Friday, Oct. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)

In this photo released by the Iraqi Government, U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, July 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Iraqi Government, HO)

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We don't expect to have a perfect agreement. But he can now go to the people and politicians and say, 'Look, this is far better for Iraq to accept this than going to the other options.' - Sami Askari, Shiite lawmaker

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Maliki, US Reach Deal on Troops