Iraq will not accept any security agreement with the United States unless it includes dates for the withdrawal of foreign forces, the government's national security adviser said today.
But the government's spokesman said any timetable would depend on security conditions on the ground.
The differing stances underscore the intense debate in Baghdad over a deal with Washington that will provide a legal basis for US troops to operate when a UN mandate expires at the end of the year.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki appeared to catch Washington off-guard by suggesting for the first time that a timetable be set for the departure of US forces under the deal being negotiated, which he called a memorandum of understanding.
National security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie appeared to go one step further today.
"We can't have a memorandum of understanding with foreign forces unless it has dates and clear horizons determining the departure of foreign forces. We're unambiguously talking about their departure," he said.
Mr Rubaie was speaking to reporters in Najaf after meeting Iraq's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
He said he spoke to Sistani about the US talks, but did not say if the cleric had an opinion on the negotiations. The revered cleric is routinely briefed on key national issues.
"I informed the (clerical leaders) about some of the advances in the talks ... There is a big difference in outlook between us and the Americans," Rubaie said, adding Iraq's 500,000-strong security forces had greatly improved.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, speaking on al-Hurra television, said it was an Iraqi demand to know when foreign forces would leave.
"Will this be through a timetable, a timeframe or time horizon? It depends on the situation on the ground. I think this will determine the dates or will affect whether it is possible to put (the departure) under a timetable."
A senior Shia official added: "It is very soon to talk about details. The talks are in the early stages."