Baghdad and Washington are currently holding talks aimed at reaching a deal on a continued U.S. military presence in Iraq after a UN mandate expires in December.

U.S. President George W. Bush and Maliki agreed on a declaration of principles last November to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by the end of July that would decide the future presence of U.S. troops in Iraq and long-term bilateral economic, political and security relations.

Last week, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that the United States had shown flexibility in negotiations with Iraq on the security pact.

However, Zebari warned that if his country fails to sign a strategic framework agreement with the United States, it will be obliged to demand an extension for the UN mandate until the country builds its own security forces.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2008)