WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday welcomed Iraq's Presidential Council's approval of a key security agreement which will keep the U.S. military presence here for another three years.

    The final approval of the security with U.S. is a "remarkable achievement for both of our countries," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

    Noting that "they (Iraqis) recognize that they're going to continue to need our help for the next little while," Perino expressed belief that the landmark agreement between the two countries will help solidify Iraq's Democratic gains.

    On Nov. 27, Iraqi parliament overwhelmingly voted for the key security agreement which will keep the U.S. military presence in Iraq for another three years.

    Under the agreement, U.S. troops will withdraw from Iraq's cities, towns and villages by June 30, 2009 to their bases, and will leave the country on Dec. 31, 2011.

    The agreement also allow Iraq to try U.S. soldiers and contractors for crimes under certain circumstances, most notably when they are off-base or off-duty. It also binds the U.S. not to use Iraq as a base for launching attacks on another country, such as Iran or Syria.

    According to Iraqi law, the deal must be ratified by the three-member presidential council, which comprises of President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi, a Shiite and Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni.

    Currently, there are about 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.