U.S. combat soldiers may leave Iraq by 2011. Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stated that any agreement on U.S withdrawal will have to contain a "specific" timeline.CNN: Iraqi PM demands 'specific' U.S. pullout timeline(August 25, 2008)
The U.S. and Iraq reached preliminary agreement on a pact on August 22, 2008.Financial Times: Iraq and US close to pact on military presence(August 22, 2008)
On October 20, 2008, the pact was forwarded to the Iraqi government. However, the pact was stalled after a key coalition failed to endorse it after meeting.UPI: U.S.-Iraq security pact's fate clouded (October 20, 2008) The pact has moved forward after Iraqi cabinet minsters approved the security agreement on November 16, 2008. It will now need final approval before it goes into effect January 1, 2009.BBC: Iraq cabinet backs US troops deal (November 16, 2008) The United Nations mandate that allows the United States a presence in Iraq expires at the end of 2008.
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Deal includes a measure allowing U.S. soldiers some immunity from Iraqi lawBBC News: US troops 'to quit Iraq by 2011'(August 25, 2008)
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