Although there apparently were enough votes to approve the security pact even without the compromise, al-Maliki's government, as well as Shiite and Kurdish leaders, wanted to work out the political reform deal with the Sunni Arabs so there could be national unity on the security pact.

CNN: Iraq parliament OKs pact on U.S. troops' future

And we have had, from the outset of this administration, through a lot of work -- working with great powers and others around the world -- a high degree of unity on this.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing