TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday expressed concern about a security deal signed between Iraq and the United States, saying Iraq will see no carefree time as long as the U.S. occupies the country.

“The Americans are treacherous and never keep a true friendship with regional countries even with their close allies, therefore one should not trust any of their promises,” Ayatollah Khamenei told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Iraq has signed an interim security agreement with the United States which authorizes the American troops to stay in the country until 2011.
The Supreme Leader said the presence of foreign troops in Iraq is the main cause of the country’s problems including terrorism and civil conflicts.
He said the Iraqi government should try to develop close ties with different factions and religious sects in the country.
“Expansion of ties between the Iraqi government and all tribes and followers of different religions in the country, trusting people, and improving relations with the neighboring states, are the main principles of the survival of Iraq.
“The Iraqi government should rely on these principles to reach its objectives. It should consider religious faith and bravery of Iraqi people as a great asset,” he stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran will spare no efforts to help improve security in the violence-ravaged Iraq.
He said prudent resistance is the only way to counter the complex plans of the U.S. and the UK to take control of the county’s resources.
The Iraqi government should prove to people that it will not abandon its national interests in the face of the enemy’s threats and intimidation, the Leader remarked.
He stated that the U.S. is seeking to establish a stable base in Iraq for a long-term rule in the region