Iraqi deputy assures Iran over US security deal
Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih met with the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, in Tehran today, where he assured Iran that a US security deal would not endanger that country.
By: IranVNC
Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008
16:56GMT—12:56AM/EST
IRAN – IRAQ – SECURITY
Washington, 14 August (IranVNC)—Visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih met with the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, in Tehran today, where he assured Iran that a US security deal would not endanger that country.
The security deal, which Iraqi authorities say is nearly complete and is expected to be presented to Iraq’s parliament in September, would provide a legal basis for American forces beyond the end of this year.
“The aim of the presence of US forces in Iraq is to serve the security and stability of Iraq, not to use Iraq as a base to target the interests of our neighbors,” Reuters reports him as saying.
He added: “It is in our interest to consult with our neighbors, Iran and other states, so as not to be misunderstood.”
In a visit to Tehran in June, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki also told Iran that the deal would not endanger that country.
But senior Iranian officials have criticized the deal, accusing the U.S. of trying to “enslave” the Iraqi people.
Iran’s Majlis [parliament] speaker, Ali Larijani, told Reuters today: “The issue of a security pact between Iraq and the U.S. irritates the sensitivities of everybody – the leaders and the states that are friends of Iraq.”
Jalili, who is also Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, was quoted by Mehr News as saying: “What is needed for the expansion of ties between Iran and Iraq and the other countries in the region is lasting security in Iraq, fortunately, security in Iraq has been improving day by day.”
Violence in the war-torn country is at a four-year low, due in part to last year’s “surge” of American troops. There are currently about 144,000 US troops in Iraq.
“Iraq’s security has had good progress … and the necessary foundation for achieving an agreement between Iran and Iraq has been prepared,” Salih said, according to Mehr News.
Sources: Mehr News Agency in Persian, Reuters
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