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Key Iraqi Cabinet members defend pact with US (AP)

BAGHDAD – Two members of the Iraqi prime minister's Cabinet say that if a proposed security pact with the U.S. is not passed, the result will be security problems that will hurt Iraq's economic growth.

Planning Minister Ali Baban and Finance Minister Bayan Jabr spoke Sunday at a news conference in defense of the security pact that would allow American troops to stay until 2012.

Jabr acknowledges the agreement's language protecting Iraqi assets abroad is not strong enough. He says a new U.N. Security Council resolution will be needed to protect the assets if the agreement is adopted.

Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's government has been struggling to rally support for the pact. Parliament is expected to vote on it Wednesday.

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