Thousands of people have gathered in Baghdad to protest against a proposed deal to allow US troops to remain in Iraq once their UN mandate expires.

The demonstration was called by the Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, who has strongly opposed any deal with the US.

The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) has been passed by the Iraqi cabinet, but still needs parliamentary approval.

A failure to ratify the SOFA or renew the UN mandate would mean US military operations would have to be suspended. The UN mandate for the US-led coalition expires at the end of December.

Sadr's party has some seats in Iraq's parliament, but not nearly enough to scuttle the deal by themselves. Let's hope they can find some allies.
- posted by truthspeaker    Comments