American troops deployed in Iraq must have immunity from prosecution if they are to stay there beyond the end of the year, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday.
The AP reports Adm. Mike Mullen and other U.S. officials have been pushing the Iraqi government to decide whether it wants additional American forces to stay in Iraq past the Dec. 31 departure date.
“That kind of agreement, which would include privileges and immunities for American men and women in uniform, will need to go through the COR,” Mullen said, referring to the Council of Representatives, the name of Iraq’s parliament.
Reuters reports Iraqi political leaders were scheduled to meet on Tuesday to debate the issue of continued American military presence.
The American combat mission in Iraq ended last August. The remaining 47,000 soldiers mainly advise the Iraqi military and help them in counterterrorism operations.
