Iraq approves U.S. security agreement

BAGHDAD, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Iraq's parliament Thursday approved the embattled U.S. Status of Forces Agreement that allows U.S. troops to remain in Iraq for another three years.

The New York Times said the new agreement mandates that all U.S. combat forces must withdraw from Iraq cities and towns by June 30, 2009, while all U.S. troops have until Dec. 31, 2011.

Along with the passage of the Status of Forces Agreement, the Iraqi parliament ratified the Strategic Framework Agreement aimed at improving Iraq-U.S. bilateral relations.

A released joint statement from U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker and Gen. Ray Odierno, the head of U.S. forces in Iraq, tabbed the overall pact a blow against aggression in Iraq.

"Taken together, these two agreements formalize a strong and equal partnership between the United States and Iraq," the two officials said. "They provide the means to secure the significant security gains we have achieved together and to deter future aggression."

U.S. President George W. Bush said in a statement that U.S. and international forces, along with the Iraqi people, are responsible for bringing about the pact agreement.

"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," Bush said.