BAGHDAD – Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says that reaching a new security accord with the United States is essential to both sides, but that any deal must respect Iraqi interests.
Al-Maliki says he is willing to compromise on the thorny issue of legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops in the country.
But he says Iraq's parliament will not accept a weak accord and it will cause political discord inside Iraq.
The Iraqi prime minister spoke in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday. He thanked the American people for their sacrifices for Iraq's freedom. He says Iraq can start to repay its debt by taking over more responsibility for its own security.
