Iraq, U.S. working to agree pact by July deadline

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq said on Wednesday it was committed to meeting a deadline for a long-term security pact with the United States, as Washington confirmed it dropped a demand concerning the divisive issue of immunity for private contractors. The two countries are negotiating a new security deal to provide a legal basis for U.S. troops to stay in Iraq after a United Nations mandate expires on Dec. 31, and a separate long-term agreement on political, economic and security ties. After five years in Iraq, President George W. Bush's administration has set an end-July target for wrapping up the negotiations, even as some Iraqi officials have questioned whether that timetable can be met. An Iraqi government statement said Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari had discussed with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney in Washington on... [read full story]