The new agreement covering the U.S. military presence in Iraq, which appears to end immunity from local law for private security contractors, could affect companies the U.S. is likely to rely on as it reduces its forces there. The broad deal, which had been negotiated for months, removes immunity for armed security guards protecting U.S. officials and facilities, as well as contractors involved in the U.S. military’s massive supply chain. With contractors falling under the jurisdiction of Iraqi courts, it could become harder for them to recruit new workers and could drive up costs as insurance rates and wages rise to offset the risk of landing in a local jail. The agreement, which could be approved by Iraq’s parliament next week, would replace an expiring United Nations mandate covering U.S. forces. The new arrangement would go into effect Jan. 1, about a month before Iraqi provincial elections are set to take place. Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is pushing for Iraqi lawmakers to approve the deal over opposition from Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. View Full Image Iraq Associated Press Iraqis at a Baghdad cafe watch Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki call for support for the security […]