US Pressing Baghdad to Grant Legal Immunity to Forces

A member of the Iraqi parliament unveiled that the US officials continue pressuring Baghdad authorities to gain legal immunity for their so-called trainers who are due to stay in Iraq after the troops pullout later this year."Americans are trying hard to gain legal immunity for their troops in Iraq since they believe that US forces will face problems in future," Mahmoud al-Mayali told FNA on Sunday. "Hence, they are trying to make Iraq grant them legal immunity, but Iraqi officials have shown resistance and stood up against their demand," he stated. Washington pressures on Baghdad continue as Iraq's officials have rejected granting immunity to the US trainers who are due to stay in the country after the 2011 pullout of the US troops. The US has told Baghdad officials that it would train Iraqi soldiers if only the country granted immunity to its trainers. Leaders from Iraq's political blocs met earlier this month at Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's office to discuss the training mission of Iraqi forces by US trainers. Following the meeting, Iraqi Government Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the political leaders of Iraq agreed such a training mission is needed "to achieve the readiness of Iraqi troops as soon as possible", but they rejected the US demand for granting immunity to its trainers. The current agreement between the United States and Iraq calls for the remaining US troops - more than 40,000 - to withdraw by the yearend. However, the United States convinced the Iraqis to request that some troops remain to aid in training and security. Last month, a senior Pentagon official said discussions within the Obama administration included a potential option for keeping 3,000 troops in Iraq next year. However, the official said no decisions had been made and discussions with the Iraqis continued.