Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday that it is still possible for the Iraqi parliament to pass the security pact that would allow U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for another three years.

    "I think chances still exist for the parliament to pass the agreement. They still have few decisive days," Zebari told reporters during a joint news conference with the visiting Italian counterpart, Franco Frattini.

    For his part, Frattini was keen to clarify his government stance in supporting reconstruction of Iraq, through training Iraqi security forces.

    He also confirmed that his government will maintain efforts to safeguard the heritage of Iraqi civilization.

    Zebari's comment came a day after a chaotic session in the parliament, in which lawmakers loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr scuffled Zebari's bodyguards.

    On Monday, Zebari and U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker initially signed the long-awaited Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). According to the Iraqi law, the draft pact must be passed through the parliament and then the presidency council to be valid.

    During the signing ceremony, Zebari said that "the final word would be for the parliament, where there is positive atmosphere among the political leaders."

    On Sunday, the Iraqi cabinet almost unanimously approved the SOFA and another agreement of bilateral cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

    For months, the two countries were at odds over the agreement, which the U.S. needs as a legitimate support for the station of its troops beyond 2008 after the current UN mandate ends on Dec. 31.