Top Iraqi lawmakers eye 2009 U.S. pact referendum

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Senior members of Iraq's ruling Shi'ite-led coalition on Wednesday said they had no problem with Sunni demands for a referendum in 2009 on a security pact with Washington.

The pact paves the way for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of 2011, and is due to be voted on in parliament later on Wednesday. Iraq's leaders say the approval of Sunni lawmakers is key for broad consensus.

Iraq's government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the referendum proposal was still under discussion.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed)