Maliki will meet with a delegation from the U.S. Congress

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki discussed here today with a US congressional delegation a series of political and military issues. A source from within the Prime Minister's office said Maliki discussed this morning with the congressional delegation, headed by Dana Rohr Butcher, military cooperation between Iraq and the United States and the political and security situation in Iraq in particular and the Arab world in general. The source added that Maliki focused on the need for continued military and political cooperation between the two countries, according to the security agreement between the two countries. "Both sides discussed the possibility of the stay of part of the U.S. forces in Iraq though the agreement between Baghdad and Washington stipulates that U.S. troops shall leave once and for all by the end of 2011 ' the source said. The US Congressional delegation, which comprises republicans and democrats, arrived in Baghdad on Thursday.