This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7462699.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iraqi army 'preparing offensive' Iraq launches offensive in Amara
(about 7 hours later)
Iraqi security forces are reported to be massing in southern Iraq in preparation for a major operation to drive out Shia militia groups. Iraqi security forces backed by US troops have launched a major operation in Amara, southern Iraq, overnight to drive out Shia militia groups.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki had set a deadline of midnight local time for militia groups around the city of Amara to lay down their weapons. So far the situation is said to be normal and no trouble is reported.
Some 60 militants have already surrendered, police say. Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki had set a deadline of midnight (2100 GMT) for Shia militants around Amara to lay down their weapons.
Supporters of the Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, have abandoned their local office, reports say. A similar offensive in Basra in March led to weeks of fierce fighting in which hundreds were killed.
A similar offensive in Basra last March led to weeks of fierce fighting in which hundreds were killed. Dozens of militants have already surrendered in the city, a bastion of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
It is hoped that this latest move against the militias will succeed without any serious challenge, says a BBC correspondent in Baghdad. It was hoped that this latest move against the militias would succeed without any serious challenge, says a BBC correspondent in Baghdad.
Security compromisesSecurity compromises
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said he is optimistic that a security agreement with the US will be reached by the end of July.Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said he is optimistic that a security agreement with the US will be reached by the end of July.
"There is more flexibility on the US side to reach an agreement that is more acceptable, reasonable both for us and for them too," said Mr Zebari."There is more flexibility on the US side to reach an agreement that is more acceptable, reasonable both for us and for them too," said Mr Zebari.
A state department spokesman confirmed that the negotiations were making progress and that compromises were being made on both sides.A state department spokesman confirmed that the negotiations were making progress and that compromises were being made on both sides.
Last week, Mr Maliki had said negotiations were deadlocked.Last week, Mr Maliki had said negotiations were deadlocked.
The pacts have been at the centre of much debate, both in Iraq and the US.The pacts have been at the centre of much debate, both in Iraq and the US.
The optimism seems to stem from a US willingness to show flexibility in the talks, says the BBC's US State Department correspondent, Kim Ghattas. The optimism seems to stem from a US willingness to show flexibility in the talks, says the BBC's US state department correspondent, Kim Ghattas.
Our correspondent says sticking points in the negotiations had been:Our correspondent says sticking points in the negotiations had been:
  • the number of bases the US would retain in Iraq after a UN mandate for foreign troops in Iraq expires on 31 December
  • whether US troops will still have the power to detain Iraqis and conduct operations independent of Iraqi control
  • whether US contractors would have immunity from prosecution in Iraq
  • the number of bases the US would retain in Iraq after a UN mandate for foreign troops in Iraq expires on 31 December
  • whether US troops will still have the power to detain Iraqis and conduct operations independent of Iraqi control
  • whether US contractors would have immunity from prosecution in Iraq