"What the reports said was embarrassing to Maliki as they were telling Iraqis that the situation in Iraq will remain as it has been since the invasion, that any American employed by the U.S. government can kill any Iraqi without having to explain and justify his or her action to Iraqis," he said.
Saad al-Hadithi, also a politics professor of Baghdad University said, "I think this speech from Maliki came to improve the situation of the Iraqi negotiations, or it could be an attempt from the Iraqi government to tell the U.S. that the Iraqi side is facing pressures from parties inside the Iraqi parliament."
Objection to clauses which would undermine Iraq's interest has been boiling among Iraqi political parties.
Hardline Shiite cleric and militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has condemned the negotiations and urged his followers to hold weekly protests.
However, analysts said the deal will come out. It's just a matter of time.
"Maliki will accept the long-term agreement with the U.S., because he knows that his government would not survive a week without the U.S. military support," Ameri said.
"Also, the Shiite religious authorities will not issue a fatwa (religious order by Muslim leaders) against it, because their first priority is to preserve the Shiites' newfound domination of Iraq," he said, adding "I wouldn't say how long it will take but I am sure it would be beyond the schedule."
Hadithi said Maliki "has no other choice than signing this agreement, particularly because the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops would create a security vacuum in Iraq."
Even Maliki himself seemed to be toning down his remarks. He told Iraqi community leaders in Jordan later that negotiations would continue until a common ground was found and both sides were looking at "new ideas."
