Iraqi Deputy PM Urges Continued US Engagement(3/3)

He also said Iraq's insurgency cannot be defeated by military means alone. But he insisted a political solution among Iraqis must have the backing of regional powers in the Middle East and the international community. Until such a day comes, he said, most Iraqis who believe in democracy want U.S. forces to remain in their country.

"Stability of Iraq is contingent upon a domestic pact among Iraqis. A grand bargain among Iraqis to take on the challenge of defeating extremism and terrorism, but that can only work if there is a regional international pact supporting this domestic pact. It cannot be done alone by us. It cannot be done alone by the outsiders."

Salih spoke as Iraqi lawmakers allied with radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr continue to press legislation that would establish a timeline for withdrawing U.S. forces. Observers in Baghdad say it is not clear whether the measure will come up for a vote, and is unlikely to pass if it does.

Several Republican congressionalallies of President Bush have said that, if Iraq formally requests a pullout of U.S. troops, the United States will comply.