The Guardian newspaper reports it has obtained a controversial draft agreement between the US and Iraqi governments that would allow for an open-ended US military presence in Iraq. The draft strategic framework is intended to replace the existing UN mandate. It authorizes the US to “conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary for imperative reasons of security” without time limit. Iraqi critics point out that the agreement contains no limits on numbers of US forces, the weapons they are able to deploy, their legal status or powers over Iraqi citizens, going far beyond long-term US security agreements with other countries.