Iran's Interior Minister Urges Caution In U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement

October 24, 2008 3:15 p.m. EST

Amman, Jordan (AHN) - Saying that security in Iraq is interlinked with that of his nation Iranian Interior Minister Ali Kordan said that the U.S.-Iraq security accord should not be inked under pressure.

Kordan made his comments to reporters after meeting with Jordan's Prime Minister Nader al-Dahabi in Ammman, Jordan, according to Islamic republic news agency.

He was in Jordan for a meeting of interior ministers of Iraq and eight of its neighboring countries. All pledged support of Baghdad's government in its goal of achieving stability and strengthening its security.

The meeting coincided with U.S. forces handing over security for Iraq's Babil province to Iraqi security forces. Babil province was once so violent that it was part of what was referred to as the "Triangle of Death."

Kordan also said that Iran strongly backs a popular government in Iraq and believes that the Iraqi government should gain control over the country.

The United States is currently negotiating with Iraq on details of a long-term security pact that reportedly calls for the withdrawal of allied forces by the end of 2011.

The security and stability of Iraq are viewed as critically important.

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif, who led his nation's delegation to the conference, said, "The situation in Iraq will affect not only the Gulf region but the whole humanity," according to Saudi Arabia Arab News reports.