TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The official Iranian news agency said Saturday Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has denied accusations that Iran was intervening in his country.
Allawi told the Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, Iran "does not interfere in Iraq's internal affairs, but blame should be made to some non-officials."
His comments came after Iraq's defense and interior ministers accused Iran of interfering in Iraqi affairs and being primarily responsible for allowing elements into Iraq to carry out attacks in the country.
Allawi said "some infiltrate from neighboring countries into Iraqi territories and some of these cases come from Iran." IRNA, however, quoted Iranian border guards as saying there was not a single infiltration attempt to Iraq from Iran last week due to the strict measures they have imposed on the borders.
Allawi said he planned to visit the Islamic Republic if he was invited, adding that he was "looking forward to good relations with neighboring countries, especially Iran."
