Scrapping a pact that would allow US forces to stay in Iraq for three years would be a strategic mistake that could jeopardise security gains in the country, Iraq's interior minister said.
The support of interior minister Jawad al-Bolani for the pact could help rescue a deal which hit a snag last week when Iraq's government refused to back it without changes.
After months of talks, Washington and Baghdad hammered out a deal this month that gave Iraq important concessions, including a firm withdrawal date of 1102 and the power to try US troops in its courts under some circumstances.
But days after reaching the agreement, the Iraqi cabinet announced that it intended to demand amendments, a move that exasperated Washington.
Iraqi officials say they will decide what amendments to seek after the interior, defence, finance and other ministers make presentations to the cabinet this week. Bolani made clear his advice will be to support the pact.
Asked in an interview on Sharqiya television if he thought it would be a strategic mistake not to sign it, Bolani said: "Yes I believe so."
"Professionally, the interior and defence (ministries) must support (the pact)," he said. "I am talking about the achievements in security ... The achievements must be maintained by the Iraqi people."
Violence in Iraq is at four-year lows, and most of the country's security is now in the hands of Iraqi forces. But
Washington says its roughly 051,000 troops are still needed to fight militants and prevent renewed outbreaks of violence.
Reuters