Iraq legislating foreign security laws

BAGHDAD, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The Iraqi Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft law making foreign security contractors subject to Iraqi laws and liability.

The issue came to the front after employees of contractor Blackwater USA opened fire in Baghdad and killed 17 Iraqis in September. The men were guarding a diplomatic convoy and claimed they had come under fire first.

The draft law stripping them of immunity will go to the Iraq Parliament for a vote, Alsumaria reported.

The draft also said contractors would have to acquire weapons permits and would become subject to searches at Iraqi military checkpoints, the report said.

After the March 2003 invasion, U.S. civil governor Paul Bremer granted contractors immunity.

The September shooting incident is being investigated by the U.S. and Iraqi governments as well as the FBI.

The Los Angeles Times said it remained unclear whether the Blackwater guards could be prosecuted under U.S. law.