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Iraq wants ‘clear timeline’ for troop pullout

BAGHDAD: U.S. and Iraqi negotiators are “very close” of reaching a long-term security pact that will decide the fate of U.S. troops in the war-torn country, said Iraq’s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Sunday.

A series of bombings, meanwhile, targeted Iraqi security forces and civilians nationwide, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens, including the commander of Kurdish forces in a town near the Iranian border.

Mr. Zebari said the Iraqis were insisting on the inclusion of a “very clear timeline” for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces, but he refused to disclose any dates being discussed. The main sticking points have been over the authorisation of U.S. military operations, immunity for U.S. troops and sovereignty issues, said Mr. Zebari, adding that both sides “are compromising on all these issues.” He said negotiators were “on the brink” of an agreement, but later said the talks were still ongoing. — AP

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