Washington- The United States on Thursday welcomed the Iraqi parliament's approval of a security agreement that sets the timetable for a US forces pullout from the country.

US ambassador in Baghdad Ryan C Crocker in a message from the US State Department in Washington said that the agreement would strengthen the partnership between the US and Iraq.

Under the security agreement, US troops would withdraw from Iraqi cities by the end of June 2009 and from the rest of the country by the end of 2011.

Some 144 lawmakers voted in favour of the security agreement, clearing the hurdle of 138 votes needed for a simple majority in the 275-member body. (dpa)