Bush: America Has No Problems.

[alien space marine]

S combat troops could leave Iraq by 2011 under the terms of a deal awaiting approval by Iraq's parliament and presidency, an Iraqi official has said.

The draft security agreement also calls for US forces to withdraw from all Iraqi urban areas by June 2009.

The 27-point agreement reportedly includes a compromise allowing US soldiers some immunity under Iraqi law.

The final date when US troops leave will depend largely on security, the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad says.

The decision will be taken by a joint committee, which could reduce or extend the amount of time US troops spend in the country.

Mohammed al-Haj Hammoud, the top Iraqi official negotiating with the US on the status of US forces in Iraq, said a deal had been agreed that envisaged all US combat troops leaving Iraq by 2011.

Some US troops could remain beyond 2011 "to train Iraqi security forces", the AFP news agency quoted him as saying.

"The combat troops will withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 2009," Mr Hammoud said.

"Both the parties have agreed on this... The negotiators' job is done. Now it is up to the leaders."

A White House spokesman has however said details of the draft agreement were still being discussed.

Gordon Johndroe said US President George W Bush had spoken with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki about the deal.

They "had a good conversation", Mr Johndroe said, adding that "there are a lot of details that have to be worked out".

Handover aim

A deal also appears to have been struck on the controversial issue of granting US troops immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law.

Mr Hammoud said the deal allowed US troops to remain immune from prosecution on military bases and while on operation.

All other cases would be considered by a joint judicial committee.

clicky

This will probaily take the thunder out of Obama's campaign, As the anti war movement is a big part of his support, This kind of change pretty much will assure opponents of the iraq war that withdrawal will happen regardless of who wins.

They need to take them from iraq and redeploy troops into Afghanistan ASAP, The Pakistani border needs to be secured, I can say that Canada is weary of the afghan mission especially when soldiers are killed like just a few days ago, From what I can see a another federal election here in Canada is quite likely and a change in goverment could happen.

The way I see it , Pakistan is where Al'qeada has burrowed itself into, Osama is a very popular man in Pakistan and they are a nuclear armed nation, With Pervez Musharraf gone who knows what will happen now.

We need to keep an eye on Pakistan.