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Bush expects Iraq security pact, no permanent bases

Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:04am EDT

MESEBERG, Germany, June 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he expects to seal a security pact with Iraq but added there were no plans for permanent U.S. bases there.

"I think we'll end up with a strategic agreement with Iraq," Bush said at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He called media reports that there were plans to build permanent U.S. bases in Iraq "erroneous", adding there was "all kinds of noise" about the issue in the United States and Iraq.

"We're in Iraq at the invitation of the sovereign government of Iraq," he said. "One of the lessons of Iraq is that for economic developoment there has to be a measure of security, which is happening now. This will not involve permanent bases nor will it bind any future president to troop levels."

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Kerstin Gehmlich)





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