JURIST - Paper Chase: US troops to maintain immunity in Iraq following transfer of sovereignty

US and foreign troops in Iraq will retain immunity from Iraqi prosecution following the transfer of power next week, defense department officials said Thursday. Paul Bremer, the US administrator in Iraq, is expected to renew the immunity order in place since the occupation began, extending it until elections are held in the country. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said a deal on the issue had been agreed with the current interim Iraqi government. Under the order, foreign troops can only be prosecuted by their country of origin. BBC News has an overview of the immunity order (Order 17). The full text of Order 17 can be viewed here [PDF]. Reuters has more.