U.S., Iraq near security agreement

BAGHDAD - Iraq and the United States are "very close" to reaching a security agreement on the future U.S. military presence in the country but have not resolved the question of whether to grant American troops immunity from prosecution, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference in Baghdad's Green Zone with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Zebari said the two sides were near a deal but that "bold political decisions" have to be made by Dec. 31, when the current U.N. security resolution mandating the multinational force expires.

The negotiations come at critical times for both nations. The emboldened Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants more control over security and is insisting on an American troop withdrawal by the end of 2011. The United States is facing a widening financial crisis at home and a public growing wary of the high costs of keeping more than 146,000 soldiers in Iraq.

Iraqi military forces have made strides in taking over many operations in recent months, but Washington is concerned that ceding too much responsibility to the Iraqis too quickly could jeopardize the country's declining violence and improved security. Two bombs exploded outside the Green Zone shortly before Zebari and Negroponte met with reporters.

Among the contentious points in negotiations are a specific withdrawal date and Washington's demand that U.S. soldiers in Iraq have immunity from local prosecution.