Iraqi PM rejects granting immunity to US soldiers
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says Baghdad is totally opposed to the idea of granting judicial immunity to American soldiers.
“There is no immunity for any foreign fighter and I did not sign any immunity for any US soldier deployed in Iraq,” Abadi said on Monday while visiting the city of Karbala to supervise security arrangements for Arba’een religious ceremonies.
On Friday, the Guardian claimed that the US has reached an agreement with Iraq on privileges and immunities for the growing number of troops based in the country.
According to the report, US ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones, said the premier has given assurances that US troops would receive immunity from prosecution.
Former Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, resisted US pressures for granting immunity to the military personnel and troops leading to the withdrawal of US forces in late 2011.