Iraq warns of consequences of early U.S. pullout

By Wisam Mohammed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's defence minister on Saturday warned of the dangers of withdrawing U.S. forces before the end of 2011, a date set with Washington in a security pact opposed by some lawmakers.

Defence Minister General Abdel Qader Jassim said withdrawing before that date would threaten Iraq's oil exports, enable neighbouring countries to encroach on Iraqi territory and give free reign to foreign spies.

"The period of the timetabled withdrawal gives us enough time to complete our abilities -- training, combat and technical -- and secures us great support," Jassim told a news conference in Baghdad.

His comments came a day after thousands of followers of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr protested in Baghdad against the pact, which cabinet approved on Sunday.

The speaker of Iraq's parliament, Mahmoud Mashhadani, said the house would vote on the pact on Wednesday, although some lawmakers said it could be delayed until after a holiday recess which begins next week.

"The door for discussions on the pact was closed today. The vote will take place next Wednesday," Mashhadani told Reuters.

While Sadr's followers oppose the pact outright and members of his bloc in parliament have disrupted parliamentary debates on it, other groups have reservations about some details.

"Successive governments have not succeeded in disarming the heavy and medium weapons of, and I am not naming any names, the armed blocs and armed wings," he added, justifying the pact's 2011 withdrawal date.