Communist party, IAF, dialogue bloc to vote to accept SOFA

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Communist party, the Iraqi Accord Front (IAF) and the National Dialogue bloc will vote to approve the U.S. troop withdrawal agreement also known as the status-of-forces agreement (SOFA), al-Iraqia satellite television said in a Urgent on Thursday. “The parliamentary blocs have reached a final formula of the reform document to vote on the agreement during today’s session,” MP Abdul Kareem al-Sameraei, from the IAF, told IraqiNews.com. The Iraqi cabinet has endorsed a controversial security pact with the United States by an overwhelming majority of 27 votes to 1. The Iraqi and U.S. sides have been negotiating a long-term security deal throughout the past months. The pact should determine the legal framework for U.S. troop presence when a UN mandate expires at the end of 2008. SH (P) 1