Iraq moves on SOFA

BAGHDAD, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani called on Washington to accept the Baghdad amendments to the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Friday he had passed the amended security pact, set to replace the U.N. mandate for Iraq, on to lawmakers for consideration Sunday. Talabani, a Kurd, met with the Iraqi premier, saying U.S. President George Bush should agree to move forward on the compact, the Voices of Iraq news agency reported Friday.

The security agreement has been stalled for months as both sides wrangle over various provisions, notably disagreements regarding immunity for American soldiers in Iraq.

Meanwhile, radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr issued a statement through his representatives in Baghdad calling for demonstrations next week in opposition to the bilateral security pact.

"Let all worshipers next week join a peaceful demonstration to express their rejection to the pact," the statement read.

Sadr, in Iran furthering his clerical studies, issued strong rhetoric condemning the U.S. presence in Iraq in a possible sign his fighters may return to violence.

"I repeat my demand to the U.S. occupation forces to leave our beloved Iraq without keeping bases or signing treaties," he said in the message. "Otherwise, I support the honest people who resist the occupation."