LEAD: US, Iraq announce "new stage" in strategic relationship

Nov 30, 2011, 15:52 GMT

Baghdad - US Vice President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Malki said Wednesday their countries were entering 'a new stage of strategic relations', as US military troops were due to complete withdrawal from Iraq by the end of the year.

Concluding talks in Baghdad on post-pullout cooperation, the two officials added in a statement that there was a 'historic opportunity' for Iraq and the United States to strengthen their relations beyond security.

Other areas of cooperation outlined in the statement include economy, culture, technology, education, and the development of Iraq's key energy sector.

Biden and al-Malaki also said they were committed to long-term cooperation based on principles of 'sovereignty and mutual respect.'

Biden had arrived in Baghdad for a surprise visit late Tuesday.

Last month, President Barack Obama said that all US troops would leave Iraq by the end of December.

Meanwhile, in the southern city of Najaf, about 200 supporters of the Shiite Sadr movement took to the streets in protest against Biden's visit, reported the news website Aswat al-Iraq.

The demonstrators shouted slogans 'No, No for America,' the website added, quoting sources.

Shiite lawmaker Hakem al-Zamali told dpa Wednesday that Biden was in Baghdad to secure immunity for US forces that might stay in Iraq after the year-end withdrawal.

'Biden's presence in Iraq is to pressure the government, parliament and political groups to grant immunity to the American troops in the post-withdrawal phase,' added al-Zamali, who is close to influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

'We (al-Sadarists) reject and condemn such visits because their agenda does not serve Iraq,' said al-Zamali.

Al-Sadr called for demonstrations all over Iraq following Biden's unannounced visit.

He has repeatedly threatened that US troops staying on in Iraq after the 2011 deadline will be dealt with as occupation forces and face armed resistance.

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