September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

BAGHDAD, Sept 11: Iraq is still waiting for a response from the United States to proposals regarding the controversial security deal between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said on Thursday.

“Talks are in the final stage and the Iraqi side is waiting for the American side to provide answers on several points which the Iraqi government has raised,” Saleh told reporters in the holy city of Najaf.

Saleh spoke after meeting Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

“This is a dangerous patriotic decision and we want the government to guarantee the sovereignty of Iraq,” Saleh said.

Earlier in the day, Shia MP Ali al-Adeeb also said the Iraqi negotiators were awaiting the response from Washington on their objections over the pact which will decide the future of US forces in the country.

Last week Adeeb said that Washington had asked for 10 days late last month to come up with a response to Iraq’s proposals. That grace period has lapsed.

US embassy officials in Baghdad were not immediately available for comment.

The sticking points are the questions of whether American soldiers will have immunity from Iraqi law, who will lead combat missions and whether US personnel may detain Iraqis.—AFP