Baghdad  - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said that the security pact with the US, also known as Status of Forces Agreement, is unlikely to win approval in Iraq's parliament before the US presidential election on November 4.

The pact would lay down the legal basis for a continued US military presence in Iraq after a UN mandate expires in December

Zebari told al-Arabiya satellite news station Tuesday that Iraq still hoped to enact the pact before the end of this year, when the UN Security Council resolution authorizing the US presence expires. But he acknowledged difficulties reaching agreement among Iraqi political leaders.

"The aim is to sign the agreement in the fastest time possible, preferably before the US presidential election on November 4. But given the political contentions we don't think this is possible currently," Zebari told al-Arabiya

Washington and Baghdad reached agreement on a final text of the pact last week. It must still be approved by lawmakers in both countries.

A number of Iraqi politicians and lawmakers are against the mandate, saying it will violate the country's sovereignty.

Members of the Iraqi Council of Ministers said there are necessary amendments which need to be made to the current security agreement draft, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Tuesday.

"The Council appreciated the efforts of the Iraqi negotiating team and the progress it has achieved in the negotiations bringing the discussions closer to the principles stated by the government at the beginning of the negotiations," a statement read.

"The Council called upon the ministers to submit these amendments in order for them to be included in the negotiations with the American side," it also said.

During the last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held a series of meetings with President Galal Talabani and his two vice presidents, Tarik al-Hashemi and Adel Abdul-Mahdi, to discuss the draft.

A declaration of principles was signed between US President George W. Bush and al-Maliki in December 2007. The declaration was set to be ratified on July 31, 2008 and to take effect on January 1, 2009.

A failure to reach a deal could force Washington and Baghdad to once again request a mandate from the Security Council - a step both sides are trying to avoid. (dpa)