Iraqi Cabinet approves security pact with US
Monday, 17 November 2008
BAGHDAD, Nov (AP): Iraq's Cabinet on Sunday approved a security pact with the United States (US) that will allow American forces to stay in Iraq for three years after their UN mandate expires at the end of the year, the government said.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said all but one of the 28 Cabinet ministers present in Sunday's meeting, in addition to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, voted in favor of the pact by a show of hands.
The Cabinet has 37 members and it was not immediately clear why some ministers stayed away. Several of them were believed to be traveling abroad.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said all but one of the 28 Cabinet ministers present in Sunday's meeting, in addition to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, voted in favor of the pact by a show of hands.
The Cabinet has 37 members and it was not immediately clear why some ministers stayed away. Several of them were believed to be traveling abroad.