Talabani says Iran contributed to Iraqi security

@H= The Iraqi President says Iran plays an important role in bringing stability to Iraq and has helped Baghdad in its fight against insurgents.

When asked by the Iraqi state television on Sunday about U.S. claims of Iran trying to insecure Iraq, Iraqi president Jalal Talabani referred to his meeting with the U.S. President during which he told George Bush that Iraq has good relations with Iran and Syria and that ""these two countries help Baghdad to secure Iraq.""

Speaking on the controversial issue of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) security pact, he said that Iraq is a unified country and no one has the right to object the Iraqi government's decision, should it refuse the security deal.

Talabani was referring to a recent interview by Massud Barzani, the president of the local government of Iraq's Kurdistan during which he said that the Kurdistan region would provide the U.S. with military bases if Baghdad refuses to sign the security deal with Washington.

""All attempts are going on right now to sign the pact, but if the pact is not signed and if the U.S. asks to keep its troops in Kurdistan, I think the parliament, the people and government of Kurdistan will welcome this warmly,"" Barzani, was quoted by a local Iraqi newspaper as saying on Sunday.

(Source: Press TV)

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