Maliki Demands All U.S. Troops Pull Out by 2011

"The agreement says that the Iraqi government will decide if the security situation is good or bad and whether foreign troops remain in Iraq, not anyone else," he said. "The Iraqi government could ask the Americans to withdraw before 2011 if we wish."

Maliki said Monday that major differences remain over several issues, and that the text of the accord must be modified before it is sent to parliament.

"Unless they change, it will be difficult to have the agreement approved," he said. "There is still disagreement between both sides."

Mariam al-Raes, an adviser to Maliki, said the two biggest points of contention were over the timelines for withdrawal and the status of immunity for U.S. troops. U.S. officials have insisted that American troops be immune from Iraqi law, both on and off military bases and regardless of whether they are off duty. In his speech, Maliki said that would be unacceptable.

"We will not jeopardize the blood of Iraq's sons by giving open immunity," he said.

Underlying Maliki's remarks is the political reality that he must sell the accord to a fractious political establishment and the Iraqi public, which to a large extent views the U.S. military presence as an occupation that should end as soon as possible.

"The agreement will be met with significant public discomfort," said an aide to Maliki. "So Iraqi officials will resort to using the dates mentioned in the agreement to sell it to the public, even though they might be intended to be used in a guidance way."

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, added: "If you ask the prime minister, 'What happens if the situation on the ground changes before 2011?' then he would obviously say that the dates might need to be changed."

Staff writers Karen DeYoung and Ann Scott Tyson in Washington and special correspondents Qais Mizher, K.I. Ibrahim and Zaid Sabah in Baghdad contributed to this report.