Iraq’s prime minister had said the Kurds were pursuing several unconstitutional policies, including the development of an oil business independent of Baghdad.

Analysts said the pact under discussion goes far beyond a typical status-of-forces agreement in giving significant oversight powers for U.S. military activity to the Iraqis.

Analysts said the pact under discussion goes far beyond a typical status-of-forces agreement in giving significant oversight powers for U.S. military activity to the Iraqis.

Some Iraqi lawmakers are worried that the security pact with the U.S. will give too much control to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki.

Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki publicly defended the security agreement with the United States in a televised address.

Conservative Iranian politicians and newspapers expressed opposition to the new Iraqi-American security agreement and urged Iraq’s Parliament to reject it.

Conservative Iranian politicians and newspapers expressed opposition to the new Iraqi-American security agreement and urged Iraq’s Parliament to reject it.

The prime minister delivered a television address six days before a vote on the agreement in Parliament.

The dismissals of Iraqi oversight officials come as estimates of corruption in the country have soared.

The dismissals, which were confirmed by senior Iraqi and American government officials, come as estimates of Iraqi corruption soar.