By KUNA,
Baghdad : The Iraqi Political Council for National Security asserted support for the position of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in negotiations on the long-term Status of Forces Agreement.
The council backs the way Al-Maliki is handling the security talks with the United States, the council said on Saturday in a statement issued following its meeting here.
The meeting, held at the office of President Jalal Talabani, reviewed the exchanged letters between the Iraqi and U.S. negotiators and the disputable points in the talks, the statement pointed out.
The council reasserted the importance of preserving Iraqi sovereignty and higher interests and in all aspects of the deal.
The long-term agreement aims to provide legal grounds for the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq beyond December 31, 2008, the expiry date of the UN mandate for the Multi-National Forces in Iraq.
The Iraqi Political Council for National Security, led by Talabani, is comprised of top Iraqi politicians and legislators such as the two vice presidents, the prime minister and parliament.