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Residents carry coffins while protesting against US forces after US soldiers killed a policeman and a woman in an overnight raid that was condemned - Source: Reuters
The Iraqi government condemned a US military raid that killed
two people as a crime that violated an Iraq-US security pact,
asking US forces to send those responsible to the courts, an Iraqi
official said.
Below is an outline of the bilateral pact, which took effect on
January 1, 2009.
Key points:
- The agreement sets out terms for the withdrawal of US troops, who now number around 137,000 in Iraq, and establishes guidelines for their activities while they remain.
- US combat forces must withdraw from Iraqi towns by the end of June 2009 and all US troops must leave the country by December 31, 2011.
- US contractors are subject to Iraqi law and can be prosecuted in Iraqi courts.
- US troops are subject to American military law, but the pact provides a mechanism that allows them to be tried in Iraqi courts in cases of serious, premeditated crimes committed while off base and off duty.
- US military operations must be approved by and coordinated with Iraqi officials through a joint military committee.
- US forces must obtain an Iraqi arrest warrant within 24 hours of capturing suspects.
- In a shift, the United States is not permitted to hold prisoners indefinitely without charge. Those already held without charge when the pact takes effect, and who are not subject to an Iraqi arrest warrant, should be freed in an orderly fashion.
- All fixed buildings used or built by US forces become the property of Iraq. All US military bases are to be turned over to Iraq when US forces withdraw from them.
- The pact is valid for three years, but either party can terminate it with one year's notice. It can be changed only by mutual consent.
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