Iraq-U.S. Troop Presence Agreement Negotiations Could Be Delayed

July 3, 2008 7:02 a.m. EST

Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - There could be a delay in negotiations for the renewal of an agreement that will legally permit U.S. troops to stay in Iraq, according to U.S. military officials. The current agreement expires on December 31.

Negotiations have been ongoing since March. Although there has been some progress, some issues remain to be ironed out. The contentious issues have been the right of the U.S. soldiers to detain suspects and Iraqi control over U.S. operations.

If the agreement is not concluded by year-end the U.S. has an interim agreement which will take effect until the main agreement is completed. The U.S. can also ask the Security Council for an extension.

The U.S. administration said that it expects a conclusive end to the agreement by the end of July.

Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah will soon visit Iraq in the first visit by an Arab head of state since U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003. No date has been finalized for the visit.

The announcement of the king's visit follows Jordan's appointment of an ambassador to Baghdad on Monday.

The visit is seen as a positive sign and as an indication of the region's growing confidence in Iraq.