Iraq Wants No Extension Of US Troops Past 2011 -- Update

Iraqi policemen inspect the site where an Improvised Explosive Device went off last night in Baghdad's Palestine street. The White House on Thursday blamed politics and posturing in Iraq for stalling efforts to conclude a controversial US-Iraq security accord but said it remained "hopeful and confident" about the pact. (AFP/Ali Yussef)

US: Security Pact Will Be 'Hard' For Iraq To Pass
-- Yahoo News/AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The White House on Thursday blamed politics and posturing in Iraq for stalling efforts to conclude a controversial US-Iraq security accord but said it remained "hopeful and confident" about the pact.

Days before the November 4 US elections, spokeswoman Dana Perino said "on our side, I don't think that politics is playing a lot of a role in it" because both US presidential hopefuls were generally supportive of the accord.

"On the Iraqi side, I can't say the same when it comes to internal politics there. And they might even be looking at our domestic politics and trying to game that out, some people, maybe," she told reporters.

Perino spoke after Massud Barzani, the president of Iraq's northern Kurdish government, said in an interview with the Washington Post that he was "doubtful" of prospects for the accord's passage in Baghdad.

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More News On The Iraq/U.S. Security Agreement

Iraq wants guaranteed U.S. departure after 2011 -- USA Today
Iraq opposes any clause letting US stay after 2011 -- Yahoo News/AFP
U.S. officials' hopes for Iraq security deal fade -- USA Today
Iraq Outlines Changes It Wants in Pact With U.S. -- Washington Post
Iraqis Insist on Changes to Long-Delayed Security Pact With U.S. -- New York Times
U.S. reviews Iraqi amendments to troops pact -- Reuters