US presents Iraq with final text of security pact

Baghdad: The United States has responded to Iraq's proposals for changes in the draft security agreement that would keep US troops in the country for another three years.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh says the response was received on Thursday but gave no details and would not characterise the US reply.

The US embassy confirmed that the final text had presented.

"We've gotten back to them with a final text. Through this step we have completed the process on the US side," embassy spokeswoman Susan Ziadeh said. "Iraq will now need to take it forward through their own process."

The Iraqi Cabinet asked the US for changes in the pact on October 21. The proposals include Iraq's demand for expanded Iraqi legal authority over US soldiers, which the US has described as a "red line."

Iraq's parliament must approve the deal before the UN mandate that governs US operations in Iraq expires at year-end. But Shiite politicians say the pact is unlikely to win approval unless the US accepts the amendments.