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Tehran: Iraq's prime minister sought to ease Iranian fears over a proposed security deal with the US Sunday, saying his government will not allow Iraq to become a launching pad for an attack on its neighbour.
Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki was to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday in talks expected to focus on the security pact, which Washington and Baghdad hope to finish by mid-summer.
An aide to Al Maliki said the prime minister is offering assurances in the talks that the US presence in his country is no threat to Iran. But Al Maliki also planned to complain that Iran's public campaign against the agreement interfered in Iraq's internal affairs, the aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity in return for giving information on the private talks.
The proposed security agreement aims to establish a long-term security arrangement between Iraq and the US Iran fiercely opposes the proposal, saying it will lead to permanent American bases on its doorstep, reflecting Tehran's fears US forces could attack it.
After talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Saturday evening, Al Maliki said the Baghdad government will not allow Iraq to become a launching pad for "harming" Iran, according to Iran's state broadcaster.
Al Maliki said his government places great value on Iran's security, according to a report on the broadcaster's Web site.
In another issue straining ties between Baghdad and Tehran, Al Maliki - who is Shiite - also is likely to raise once more the US allegations that Iran is arming, funding and training Shiite militiamen in Iraq. Iran has denied the charges, saying it supports Iraq's security and stability.
Inside story: Tricky relationship
- Iraqi officials acknowledge Iran has a lot of influence in the country, partly through its ties with Shiite politicians and parties that were based in Iran for years during the rule of Saddam Hussain.
- Iran has an embassy in Baghdad, unlike most Arab states that have only low-level ties.
- Iran showed its influence by helping to end fighting in Basra in March and also played a key role in a deal struck by Iraqi Shiite factions to end seven weeks of fighting in Moqtada Al Sadr's Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City.
- --Ali Al Adeeb, a member of the ruling Shiiite alliance who is close to Al Maliki, said an Iraqi delegation that went to Tehran almost two weeks earlier asked for Iranian help because of Tehran's influence over Al Sadr's movement.
- Al Sadr is believed to be living in the Iranian city of Qom, where he is taking advanced Islamic studies.
- Iraq is also looking for Iranian help with supplying electricity, which is in short supply in Iraq. Electricity Minister Karim Waheed said on Friday he would accompany Al Maliki to Iran and press the country to resume work on a power line between Abadan in southern Iran to Basra.
What about the accusations?
- Washington accuses Iran of funding, training and arming Shiite militias, particularly 'rogue' elements of Al Sadr's Mahdi Army called 'special groups'. Iran denies the charges.
- The US military says it has detainees in custody who say Hezbollah is providing training near Tehran for Iraqi militants. The camps are run by the Qods Force, a wing of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
What is Iraqi government's view?
- Some Iraqi officials seem genuinely perplexed about Iran's intentions. One said recently that Iran needed to make up its mind. "It's either Al Maliki and this present day leadership of Iraq or these militias. It cannot have them both," he said.
- The government said last month that Al Maliki had ordered the formation of a committee to compile evidence of Iranian "interference" in Iraq that would then be presented to Tehran.
What is the purpose of Al Maliki's visit?
- Al Maliki wants to foster closer economic ties. His electricity minister may sign agreements to buy refined fuel for Iraqi power plants.
- Government spokesman Ali Al Dabbagh said Al Maliki would also raise allegations of Iranian interference in Iraq's affairs. He would address Iranian concerns about a new military pact being negotiated between Iraq and the United States, reminding Tehran that Iraq was free to sign agreements with whomever it wanted.
What is Iraq-Iran history?
- Iran and Iraq fought an eight-year war in the 1980s in which hundreds of thousands were killed. Ties have improved since Saddam was ousted.
- Iraq is an Arab country while Iran's roots are Persian. Both countries have majority Shiite populations.
- Reuters
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