Protestors chant anti-U.S. slogans during a demonstration in Tikrit, 150 km (95 miles) north of Baghdad, November 19, 2008. About 500 people took part in a rally on Wednesday in Tikrit demanding the deadline for the U.S. troops departure from Iraq. (Sabah al-Bazee/Reuters)Maliki Defends Troop Pact; Sadr Demands Its Rejection
-- Yahoo News/McClatchy Newspapers
-- Yahoo News/McClatchy Newspapers
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki on Tuesday urged the Iraqi public to support the new pact that calls for withdrawing American forces as his most determined opponent, radical cleric Muqtada al Sadr , once again urged the parliament to vote down the agreement.
Maliki's nationally televised address marked his first clear, public endorsement of the treaty after nine months of what he called "difficult and complicated" negotiations with U.S. officials.
In May, Maliki declared that the negotiations were at an impasse, and he'd remained lukewarm this fall, neither endorsing nor rejecting a draft of the agreement.
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More News On The U.S. - Iraq Security Agreement
Iraqi Premier Defends Security Accord -- New York Times
Iraq's Maliki defends security pact -- L.A. Times
Iraq PM says pact's critics want U.S. troops to stay -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Iraq debate on US pact disrupted -- Al Jazeera
Iraq cabinet backs US troops deal -- BBC
Iraqi and American Critics of Security Pact Speak Up -- New York Times
Small Iraqi party says it will not support US pact -- AP
Sadr Threatens Attacks on U.S. Troops if Accord Passes -- Washington Post