Iraqi leaders have reached political consensus that could lead to an extended U.S. military presence in the country. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in an interview that the Iraqi government has agreed to enter formal negotiations for U.S. troop presence beyond this year end. Earlier this month, the Iraqi leaders agreed to give green signal to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to hold talks with the U.S. about keeping some of its troops in Iraq beyond the end of 2011 deadline. More than 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq, and they are to pull out completely by the end of 2011, according to a security agreement signed in 2008 between Baghdad and Washington.