Iraq MPs block non-US troop bill

[Robbien]

Source: BBC

Iraq's parliament has rejected a draft law that would have permitted forces from the UK, Australia and a number of other countries to remain after 2008.

The bill, rejected by 80 votes to 68, would have given the 6,000 non-US troops a legal basis for staying once the UN mandate expires on 31 December.

It will now be sent back to the cabinet for amendment. A vote is due next week.

. . .

The BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Baghdad says she understands that, if the bill is rejected by parliament at a third reading next week, the Iraqi government may sign individual agreements directly with each of the foreign states, giving their troops a legal basis to remain.

However, this is an emergency option which the government had been trying to avoid, as there may not be enough time to negotiate the deals before 31 December, our correspondent says.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7793457.stm

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What Maliki wants and what the Iraqi Parliament wants are two different things. Too bad the US/UK keep dealing only with Maliki.

After the Dec. 31 expiration of the U.N. mandate authorizing military operations in Iraq, the only coalition troops to remain will be the U.S., Britain, Australia, El Salvador, Estonia and Romania.
The UK has 4,000 troops, Australia has 1,000 troops, followed by Romania with 501, El Salvador with 200 and Estonia with 40.