Iraq OKs Security Pact; Attacks Kill 17

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Source: Associated press

Iraq OKs security pact; attacks kill 17

By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer – 8 mins ago

BAGHDAD – A security pact with a timetable for pulling U.S. forces from Iraq won final government approval Thursday, even as suicide bombers killed 17 people and wounded more than 100. Two Americans were among the dead.

The brazen attacks — the deadliest in the heavily guarded city of Fallujah — raised questions about Iraq's ability to ensure its own security as the U.S. scales down its combat role under the newly ratified U.S.-Iraqi pact, which calls for an American pullout within three years.

Iraq's three-member presidential council signed off on the pact, removing the last legal barrier so that the agreement can take effect Jan. 1. It also requires American soldiers to leave the cities by the end of June.

Approval by the presidential council came one week after parliament approved the agreement, which was hammered out during months of tough negotiations that at times seemed on the point of collapse.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq