In an interview with AFP Monday, Mashaan al-Juburi said the deal also saw most of Saddam Hussein's forces peacefully put down their arms and disband.

Juburi said Iraqi opposition forces accompanying him from abroad, as well as forces from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), took control of the majority-Arab city Thursday following talks with tribal chiefs.

Juburi, who heads the Damascus-based Patriotic Iraqi Party, had regularly addressed Mosul's residents over the local radio and television for three weeks before.

"Every day, I said I would threaten no one's security, whether they were a member of the Baath party, intelligence, police or supporters of Saddam. Mosul residents trust my family," he said.

On Wednesday, when Baghdad was taken, "the heads of Arab tribes sent a letter to me and the Americans in Dohuk, saying that if I were the first to enter the town there would be no fighting," he said.

"At first the Americans did not accept. They wanted them to formally sign a (surrender) statement, but I refused because it was not acceptable, it is our city," he added.

Talks continued through the night until Thursday. "Finally I sent a letter to the people in Mosul telling them to meet us outside the town."

"Early Thursday, I came to meet them with my soldiers -- 105 Kurdish forces of (KDP Chief Massoud) Barzani and 45 Arabs that had come with me from abroad," said Juburi.

"Seven hundred armed Arabs from Mosul, with all the sheikhs and notables were waiting for us. They told us 'welcome' there is no need to use weapons. Seven Americans witnessed the scene."

Juburi said the Kurdish forces under his control "took all the important sites in Mosul. The men in the city helped us. Thursday at noon I had lunch here and after I called the Americans and told them to come."

Later that day Juburi told Iraqi troops to put down their weapons and go home.

"I told them 'go home, leave your bases, none of you should be found in the street, no one will threaten you. The commanders also went home," he said.

US and KDP officials said Friday commanders of the Iraqi army's 5th Corps based in Mosul had signed a ceasefire accord with the US military, effectively surrendering after a period of negotiations.

Juburi, however, said no formal ceasefire accord was signed.

CNN reported Friday that thousands of unarmed Iraqi soldiers had already abandoned positions and were walking south from Kirkuk and Mosul, which is located 450 kilometers (280 miles) north of Baghdad.

After entering the town devastated by looting and bombing raids, US soldiers came under sniper fire after entering a government building.

The reaction to their entry into the majority-Arab city was subdued, unlike in Kirkuk, which has deeper Kurdish roots and where Kurdish forces were welcomed with celebration.

Juburi said Barzani's forces that entered the town had been placed under his control.

"Barzani is my partner. He suggested giving me 3,000 soldiers but I refused because I know the mentality of the people in Mosul who would have not accepted more Kurdish (fighters). Barzani's forces are under my control."

Like Kirkuk, Mosul had been the target of US air raids since the war in Iraq began on March 20.

Juburi is a member of the 75-member follow up committee formed at a December gathering of the Iraqi opposition in London.

SPACE.WIRE