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US military chief warns Iraq on security deal

Iraqi ministers seek changes in pact

AP, AFP, Aboard A Us Military Aircraft
Iraq's cabinet was discussing a contentious security pact with Washington yesterday as the top US military chief warned that time was running out for Baghdad to back the deal.
Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, bluntly warned that Iraq risked security losses of "significant consequence’ unless it approved an agreement that provides a legal basis for US forces to remain in the country.
Admiral Mullen also charged that US archfoe Iran was working
hard to scuttle Iraq's adoption of the so-called Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, which has been the subject of months of fraught negotiations.
"We arc clearly running out of time," said Mullen, warning that when the current UN mandate governing the presence of foreign forces expires on December 31, the Iraqi military "will not be ready to provide for their security".
"And in that regard there is great potential for losses of significant consequence."
Mullen's comments aboard a US aircraft came as Iraqi cabinet ministers were meeting to discuss
the latest draft of the security pact that in its current form will see US combat troops withdraw from Iraq in 2011.
Iraqi ministers sought changes on Tuesday to a draft security pact with Washington that will govern US troop levels after the year-end expiry of a UN mandate, a parliamentary source said.
"The agreement was examined by the cabinet and the ministers will present some modifications in few days," a senior Shia parliamentary source told AFP.
Iraqi politicians have been discussing the contentious deal for several days amid fierce opposition
from some quarters in the government.
The biggest Shia alliance has expressed reservations over the agreement and some Sunni lawmakers arc also opposed.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh says the Cabinet meeting bcganTUcsday with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki chairing the session.
The spokesman says it's doubtful the ministers will take a decision TYiesday.
Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said on Al-Arabiya television that he doubts parliament will vote before the Nov. 4 US election.