U.S. hopeful SOFA will be approved

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Tuesday Iraq isn't quite at the point where it can take care of its own security needs.

Aboard Air Force One en route to Fort Campbell, Ky., Perino told reporters the administration is hopeful the Iraqi parliament will adopt the Status of Forces Agreement that would allow U.S. troops to remain in Iraq through the end of 2011.

"I think that if you look at the violence that took place there (Monday) that was indiscriminate and killed many people, that it reminds us that the Iraqis have come a long way but they're not quite there yet to be able to take care of all their security needs on their own," Perino said. "And they need -- they continue to need our support."

Perino said U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker has been lobbying Iraq officials for support.