Iraq security pact moves step closer to full vote
« Thread Started on Nov 20, 2008, 2:38pm »

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Iraq security pact moves step closer to full vote
Posted: 11:40 AM ET
From Jomana Karadsheh
CNN
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq’s Parliament moved one step closer Thursday
toward voting on proposed U.S.-Iraqi security agreement.
The body heard the second reading of the security agreement despite some
noisy objections from the pact’s opponents, lawmakers told CNN.Lawmakers will continue their tumultuous debate and discussions on the
measure on Saturday and Sunday, and a vote is expected early next week.

But Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at a news conference later warned that
if the measure isn’t approved, there won’t be enough time to develop a new
agreement before the year is out.

He said the country might have to delay its quest for sovereignty and ask
the U.N. Security Council to renew a resolution that authorizes the presence of
U.S. and allied troops in Iraq.

Al-Maliki’s government approved the security pact earlier in this week
and sent it for ratification to the Council of Representatives, which swiftly
conducted a first reading of the proposal.