Iraqi government support people stance on US-Iraq agreement- governor

Karbala, June26, (VOI) – Karbala governor on Thursday unveiled the Iraqi government rejected two drafts for the pact with the U.S, noting Iraq would reject all items infringing its full sovereignty.
Speaking at demonstrations staged by tribes in Karbala, Akeel al-Khazali, Karbala governor, called on chieftains not to “believe reports circulated by media reports that the Iraqi government would sign the long-term agreement with the U.S”.
A declaration of principles was signed between U.S. President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in December 2007. The declaration was planned to be ratified on July 31, 2008 to be effective as of January 1, 2009.
The agreement governs the U.S. forces' presence in Iraq after the year 2008. This presence currently relies on a mandate by the UN, renewed annually upon the request of the Iraqi government.
The agreement will not valid unless it commands a national consensus and be approved by the Iraqi parliament and the presidency board.
A number of Iraqi political and religious factions voiced their opposition to the agreement, citing inclusion of items infringing Iraq’s sovereignty as reason.
Al-Khazali said “the Iraqi government rejected two drafts for the pact”, noting “it has determined to stand by Iraqi people’s stand”.
Iraqi president Jalal Talabani said “Iraqi officiala negotiation the pact with the U.S are doing our best for this agreement -- strategic agreement with the United States of America”.
He added “very good, important steps toward reaching to finalize this agreement are taken to continue efforts to reach this pact”.
Karbala governor termed the support of tribes to government as “stance opposing the presence of army inside army and a state inside a state”.
He highlighted “the stance would encourge the Iraqi government to hold on its strong stance towards the agreement”.
Iraqi tribes in karbala staged demonstartions in a bid of support to a military cracksown launched by the Iraqi government in Missan