Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

Iraqs President Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a visit to Kerbala, 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad, June 20, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>

BAGHDAD, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi and U.S. leaders have talked about bilateral relations in a phone conversation, including working out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the Iraqi government said Friday.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and U.S. President George W. Bush stressed the importance of achieving a timetable to hand over security control to the Iraqi security troops so as to lay the ground for the pullout of the U.S. force.

Bush has repeatedly said the withdrawal of the U.S. troops should be conducted based on the situation in Iraq.

U.S. President George W. Bush makes a statement about the passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by Congress after arriving back at the White House from Japan, July 9, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>>

In the phone conversation on Thursday, they also talked about establishing a new relationship on the basis of respecting Iraqs sovereignty.

The leaders agreed that the U.S. troops would shift their role from combat mission to training and advising Iraqi forces.

Iraq and the United States have been engaged in negotiations about the future status of the U.S. troops in Iraq after the UN mandate ends at years end. They have expected to complete a deal by the end of July.

Yet, differences over a couple of issues have led to doubt about whether they could finish the talks as scheduled.

Maliki has said the talks were deadlocked and demanded a time frame for the pullout of the American force.

Iraqis also want to limit the freedom of the U.S. security operations and put their activities within the Iraqi jurisdiction.

U.S. media has reported that the two sides could sign a short-term pact before reaching a long-term deal.