Iraq denies extending US military stay

An aide to the Iraqi Prime Minister has denied reports that Baghdad has allowed the US to extend its military presence in the country beyond 2011.

“We have not yet agreed on the issue of keeping training forces,” Ali Mussawi, media advisor to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, told AFP on Friday.

The remarks came after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that Iraq has agreed to extend US military presence in the country beyond the 2011 deadline.

“The negotiations are ongoing, and these negotiations have not been finalized,” Mussawi said.