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Iraq seeks to change troop deal Iraq seeks to change troop deal
(20 minutes later)
The Iraqi government has said it wants to make changes to the draft outline of a long-term security pact with the US. Iraq's ruling coalition says it wants to make changes to the draft outline of a long-term security pact with the US.
American and Iraqi officials had previously said the draft pact was final and would not be changed.American and Iraqi officials had previously said the draft pact was final and would not be changed.
The deal would allow US forces to stay in Iraq until 2011 and allow Iraq limited authority to prosecute troops.The deal would allow US forces to stay in Iraq until 2011 and allow Iraq limited authority to prosecute troops.
The agreement has been the subject of negotiations for months, and approval by Iraq's Political Council for National Security is not guaranteed. The agreement has been the subject of negotiations for months and must be approved by Iraq's parliament, something that remains uncertain.
On Saturday an estimated 50,000 people marched in Baghdad to call for US troops to leave Iraq. Parliamentary approval is expected to be more likely if the deal is rubber-stamped by Iraq's Political Council for National Security.
The council - composed of top political leaders and the heads of parliamentary factions - met on Friday and is expected to meet again soon to hear from military figures.
In a statement released on Sunday the ruling United Iraqi Alliance, the coalition which includes the party of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, praised some elements of the draft but said others need more work.
Correspondents say it is significant that the bloc containing Mr Maliki's own party is calling publicly for changes.
On Saturday an estimated 50,000 supporters of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr marched in Baghdad to call for US troops to leave Iraq.
The UN mandate for US-led coalition forces expires at the end of this year. About 144,000 of the 152,000 foreign troops deployed there are US military personnel.