U.S. & World

BAGHDAD (AP) ― Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's ruling Shiite alliance said Sunday that parts of the draft security agreement that would keep U.S. troops here for three more years needs more discussion and amendments before it can be approved.

The statement by the United Iraqi Alliance did not spell out which parts of the deal it wanted changed. It said some portions were positive but others need more time "for discussion, dialogue and to amend some of its articles."

The agreement provides for all U.S. troops to leave the country by the end of 2011 and would give Iraq limited authority to prosecute U.S. soldiers and contractors for crimes committed off post and off duty.

Parliament must approve the agreement by the end of the year, when the current U.N. mandate expires.

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters Saturday he thought it would be "difficult to reopen negotiations," but said the agreement was temporary and subject to annual review.

The alliance, which includes al-Maliki's Dawa Party and the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, holds 85 of parliament's 275 seats. Al-Maliki needs solid support from his alliance if he expects to win approval of the agreement by a strong majority.

The 30-seat bloc of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has declared its opposition to the agreement and called tens of thousands of protesters into the streets of the capital Saturday to underscore its rejection.

The agreement with the U.S. is expected to serve as a model for a separate agreement on the future of the 4,100 British troops in Iraq. Al-Maliki said Sunday that he would appoint a team soon to start discussions with Britain.

"It is the time to build the best relationships with the countries that stood with Iraq against dictatorship in order to build a modern state," al-Maliki said in a statement after meeting with British Defense Secretary John Hutton.

Al-Maliki told The Times of London last week that British forces are no longer necessary to provide security but there may be a need for a few of them for training and technical issues.

Although many Iraqi politicians believe the country still needs U.S. security help, they are worried about how a "yes" vote would impact them in next year's provincial and national elections.

Most Iraqis are anxious to see U.S. troops leave and Iraq become a truly sovereign nation again -- even if they are worried about the future.

Also Sunday, a roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi police patrol killed two people and wounded 10 in southeastern Baghdad, officials said.

The early morning blast took place in the capital's Shiite-dominated Zafaraniya neighborhood, and killed two civilians, said police and medical officials. Three policemen were also among the wounded.

Maj. Mark Cheadle, a U.S. military spokesman, confirmed the two deaths but said only two policemen were wounded. Such conflicting casualty tolls are normal in Iraq. He said the attack was believed carried out by Shiite extremists.

A second roadside bomb in the same neighborhood blew up shortly afterward, wounding three other policemen traveling in car and four civilians in another vehicle, Iraqi police and hospital officials added.

The injured from both blasts were taken to the nearby Zafaraniya hospital, said Iraqi officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information.

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