"We, as Kurds, welcome this strategic agreement between Iraq and the United States on the condition that it doesn't violate Iraqi sovereignty or cause threats to any side," Barzani said.

Barzani said even though some Iraqi lawmakers see the pending agreement, which is set to replace the U.N. mandate governing military operations in Iraq, as undermining Iraqi sovereignty, most view the agreement as positive, The Kurdish Globe said.

"Maybe we have some comments regarding the agreement and we should continue to negotiate, but no one should say that the agreement should not exist," he said.

The majority of Iraqi Sunnis are in favor of a continued U.S. military presence in Iraq, though Shiites are concerned the United States may use Iraq as a base for future military operations against Iran.

The Globe said Kurds have no such concerns, particularly in matters concerning U.S. military bases in the Kurdish region.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, himself a Kurd, is in Washington negotiating the agreement with U.S. officials. He said it is important to reach a long-term military commitment with the United States in order to maintain security in Iraq.

"We need this continued support of the U.S. forces, of the multinational forces, because the gains we have earned, including security, military and economic, are still vulnerable," he said.

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