Basra People Protest US Security Pact

"The Seyyed al-Shohadaa (Master of Martyrs) Movement, a Shia group, organized the rally on Saturday in the central Basra neighborhood of al-Ishar to demand considering Iraq's sovereignty in the security pact," the Voices of Iraq news agency reported.

The protestors called on the government not to allow US troops to be granted the permission to act outside the framework of the country's law, a demonstrator said.

Baghdad has been under US intense pressure to sign the long term security agreement, which would provide a legal basis for the presence of US forces in the war-ravaged country after their UN mandate expires in December 31.

The deal, however, sparked fierce opposition from the country's leaders and lawmakers after it was disclosed that under the agreement, US forces and civilians would be granted immunity from legal prosecution.

According to the latest version of the draft Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) all US troops would be outside Iraq's jurisdiction if they committed crimes inside their bases and when on duty.

Despite Washington's warnings and threats, the Iraqi government has insisted that the deal should consider the country's sovereignty and national interests.