BAGHDAD, November 08, SPA -- Iraq's deputy prime minister says Iraqisstill need the U.S. military and time is running out forapproving a security agreement with the United States. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh warns that Iraq willenter a «period of a legal vacuum» if the U.N. mandateunder which US troops operate in Iraq expires by year's endwithout the agreement having been approved. Associated Press quoted Saleh as saying that the pact is essential topreserve «the security improvement which has beenachieved.» He spoke to reporters Saturday. U.S. and Iraqis officials have been working to finalize adeal that would remove U.S. troops from Iraq's cities byJune 30 and withdraw them from the country by 2012.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/605509