US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on an unannounced visit.
Ms Rice is expected to meet Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, to discuss the future of US forces deployed in Iraq.
Her arrival comes after 10 months of difficult negotiations on the US military presence in Iraq between Washington and Baghdad.
Reports suggest a compromise draft is being considered by both governments.
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US Senate approves war funds bill ... by disagreement over the timing of the withdrawal of US forces from the country and the immunity of US soldiers from prosecution under Iraqi law, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.
A United Nations mandate for US troops to stay in Iraq expires in December.
Any future agreement must be approved by the US president as well Mr Maliki and Iraq's parliament.
There are currently about 147,000 US troops in Iraq.
(BBC)
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