Bush Welcomes Iraq's Approval Of Security Agreement; All Troops To Withdraw In 2011

November 27, 2008 11:09 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President George W. Bush on Thursday hailed the Iraqi Parliament's approval of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The agreement, which is expected to be ratified by Iraq's presidential council, will require U.S. combat troops to leave in 2009 and all American troops by the end of 2011.

"Today's vote affirms the growth of Iraq's democracy and increasing ability to secure itself. We look forward to a swift approval by Iraq's Presidency Council," Bush said in a statement.

"Two years ago, this day seemed unlikely - but the success of the surge and the courage of the Iraqi people set the conditions for these two agreements to be negotiated and approved by the Iraqi parliament. The improved conditions on the ground and the parliamentary approval of these two agreements serve as a testament to the Iraqi, Coalition, and American men and women, both military and civilian, who paved the way for this day," he added.

Of the 275 members of the Iraqi parliament, 198 were present and 149 voted in favor of the SOFA. The lawmakers also voted to approve another pact, the Strategic Framework Agreement, that sets the foundation for long-term bilateral relationship with the United States.

The parliament also passed a package of political reforms sought by Sunni Arab leaders in exchange for their support for the SOFA, which requires that American combat forces leave Iraq's cities, villages and localities by June 30, 2009, and all U.S. troops from the entire country by December 31, 2011.

The current security agreement mandated by the United Nations for the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq expires on the last day of this year. Negotiations have been increasingly difficult because of politics in what is also an election year in Iraq, as well as concerns among Iraqi officials that the agreement would infringe on Iraqi sovereignty.