Maliki promises no use of Iraq to hit Iran

TEHRAN, June 8 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Sunday while visiting Tehran he will not allow his country to be used as a platform to attack Iran.

But he also criticized that country for secretly supporting Shiite militias in Iraq that have been waging battles with U.S. forces and Sunni Arab factions, the BBC reported. Maliki made the remarks while meeting with Iran's foreign minister and was preparing to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad later in the day.

"We will not allow Iraq to become a platform for harming the security of Iran and neighbors," said Maliki, as reported by Iranian state-run media and quoted by the BBC.

The meeting with Iranian leaders comes as Maliki's government is negotiating a "status of forces" agreement with the United States that would govern how long U.S. forces would remain, whether permanent bases would be established and what jurisdiction the Iraqi government would have over them. Iran strongly opposes any permanent U.S. presence in Iraq.

Iran has denied any involvement with Shiite militias in Iraq, but sources told the BBC Iraqi security officials would present evidence of Iran's alleged support for the militias.