Iraqi leaders have reached political consensus that could lead to an extended U.S. military presence in the country, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Friday told military news outlets, Xinhua reported.
During an interview with the Stars and Stripes and the Military Times, Panetta said the Iraqi government has agreed to enter formal negotiations for U.S. troop presence beyond year's end, and he viewed that move as signal of political consensus in Baghdad that will ultimately lead to a troop extension.
"My view is that they finally did say,'Yes,'" the secretary said.
Earlier this month, the Iraqi political leaders agreed to give green light to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to hold talks with the U.S. about keeping some of its troops in Iraq beyond the end of 2011 deadline.