Sadirists reject Iraq-US security pact

Baghdad: Clerics loyal to anti-US Shiite leader Moqtada Al Sadr stepped up calls on Friday for the government to reject a US-Iraqi security pact.

US and Iraqi officials are scrambling to finalize the security agreement that would remove US soldiers from Iraq's cities by June 30.

The Sadrists staunchly oppose the pact and want US forces to leave Iraq immediately and unconditionally.

"We renew our total refusal of the security agreement and again we demand parliament and government not to sign it," Shaikh Assad Al Nasiri told worshippers in Kufa.

In Baghdad's Sadr City, Sadrist preacher, Shaikh Sattar Al Battat, warned that the deal infringes on Iraqi sovereignty, and would allow the US to threaten other countries.

"Each Iraqi should refuse the security agreement, especially what it includes on the immunity the American soldier enjoys in spite of all he has committed against Iraqis, and the use of bases to launch attacks against our neighbours, particularly Syria," Al Battat said.