The proposed status of forces agreement that would govern U.S. troops in Iraq is doomed to fail, senior Iraqi politicians say.

Despite claims from U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates the plan known as SOFA is mostly done, lawmakers from across the Iraqi political spectrum who need to approve the deal -- and who are facing elections -- are mainly opposed to it as a certain vote-loser, The Sunday Times of London reported.

The SOFA is dead in the water, one unnamed Iraqi politician described as close to the talks told the newspaper.

The agreement is needed as legal cover for the continued presence of 154,000 U.S. troops in Iraq after a United Nations mandate legitimizing their activities expires Dec. 31. Under a draft of the SOFA, U.S. troops would withdraw from Iraq's main cities by the end of 2009 and from the country entirely by 2011. Iraqis would also gain legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops who commit serious crimes while off duty.

But The Times says Iraqi politicians mostly oppose the draft and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has seen his influence rise as Iraqis assume more security responsibilities, is set to block the deal.