Iraq: US raid ‘crime’ breaks security pact

BAGHDAD - Iraq’s prime minister denounced a deadly U.S. raid on Sunday as a “crime” that violated the security pact with Washington and demanded American commanders hand over those responsible to face possible trial in Iraqi courts.

The U.S. military, however, denied that it overstepped its bounds and said it notified Iraqi authorities in advance – in accordance with the rules that took effect this year governing U.S. battlefield conduct.

The fallout over the raid in the southern Shiite city of Kut – which left at least one person dead and six arrested – marks the most serious test of the security pact so far and could bring new strains during a critical transition period.

U.S. forces plan to move out of most major Iraqi cities by the end of June in the first phase of a promised withdrawal from the country by the end of 2011.

A statement from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki – in his role as commander general of Iraqi forces – called the raid a “violation of the security pact.”