Iraqi council gives final approval to pact with US

[David]

AP


BAGHDAD – A spokesman says Iraq's presidential council has approved the security pact with the United States.

That's the final step for the agreement to replace a U.N. mandate that expires on Dec. 31. The deal sets out a three-year timeframe for a full withdrawal of U.S. troops.

The spokesman for the presidential council Nasser al-Ani tells The Associated Press that the agreement was signed Thursday by President Jalal Talabani and his two deputies.

The Iraqi parliament approved the deal last month but with the caveat that it should go before voters in a referendum to be held by July 30.