The United States has agreed to three out of the five
amendments that Iraq made to a long-term security pact between the two
countries, the semi-official Iraqi al-Sabah newspaper reported on
Monday.
The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) aims to regulate the future
of US troops in Iraq after the UN mandate expires at the end of 2008.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said he expects a reply from
Washington soon on amendments to the pact which Iraq proposed last
week.
The US still insists on immunity for US soldiers in Iraq. According
to the US constitution, US citizens who commit crimes in other
countries should be judged according to US law, an Iraqi source told
al-Sabah.
After a pact is signed, the US would withdraw its troops from Iraq in 36 months, the source added.
British Ambassador in Iraq Christopher Prentice told the Kurdish
newspaper al-Taakhi that Britain was keen on reaching an agreement with
the Iraqi government since "very little time remains until the end of
this year."
Shares fell 2.1 per cent Friday on the Seoul stock exchange on general recession fears. South Korea's won dropped against the dollar.
When the Spirit rover landed on Mars five years ago, no one expected it or its sister rover Opportunity to make it to their first birthdays, let alone their fifth.
Amelie Mauresmo fell victim to a leg injury after less than half an hour on court Friday to hand over a 4-0 victory which put French compatriot Marion Bartoli into the final of the Brisbane International.
Mumbai-based movie Slumdog Millionaire won five prizes Thursday night at the Critics Choice Awards, cementing its position as a surprise favourite just as the Oscar season moves into high gear.
After the Taipei Zoo received two giant pandas from China, another Taiwan zoo said Friday it is seeking to receive a pair of pandas from China.