Washington  - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari as the two countries negotiate an agreement to extend the stay of US troops.

State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said there has been progress in the so-called Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, which the United States has forged with other countries that host the US military.

US officials have said they hope to complete the agreement in July but have until the end of the year, when the UN Security Council mandate for US forces in Iraq expires.

"We do believe the negotiations are making progress," Casey said. "Obviously, because they are negotiations, both sides will wind up having to make compromises along the way."

The agreement includes the full range of issues associated with the US military presence, including whether they are subjected to Iraqi courts if they commit a crime.

The Bush administration has insisted it does not need congressional approval for the deal, a position that has irked lawmakers. (dpa)