FACTBOX - Iraq's security pact with the United States

(Reuters) - Iraq's parliament on Thursday approved a landmark security pact with the United States that paves the way for U.S. forces to withdraw by the end of 2011.

Lawmakers in Iraq's 275-seat parliament passed the deal with a majority of 149 out of 198 present, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani said.

Following are some details about the pact:

KEY POINTS:

* The pact is called "Agreement on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and their activities during their temporary presence."

* U.S. forces should withdraw from Iraqi towns by mid-2009 and leave the country entirely by December 31, 2011.

* U.S. contractors will be subject to Iraqi law and can be prosecuted in Iraqi courts. U.S. troops and Defence Department civilian employees will be subject to American military law, but the pact provides a mechanism that allows them to be tried in Iraqi courts in cases of serious, premeditated crimes committed while off base and off duty.

* The United States, which now holds about 17,000 detainees in Iraq, will lose the power to hold prisoners indefinitely without charge. U.S. forces must obtain an Iraqi arrest warrant within 24 hours of capturing suspects. Those already held without charge when the pact takes effect, and who are not subject to an Iraqi arrest warrant, should be freed in an organised fashion.

* All fixed buildings used by U.S. forces become the property of Iraq. All U.S. military bases are to be turned over to Iraq when U.S. forces withdraw from them.