Iran, Iraq reach land mine clearing deal

BAGHDAD, June 13 (UPI) -- Baghdad and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the removal of land mines and the remains of fighters killed during the Iran-Iraq War.

The Iranian state-run Islamic Republic News Agency earlier this week reported Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reached several defense arrangements with Tehran during a weekend trip to Iran.

IRNA said the deal included provisions to remove land mines and strengthen defense relations between the two countries.

Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari told Voices of Iraq the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding "and not agreement" to implement the land mine and body removal programs.

The spokesman said Maliki and his top military commander approved the measure and had the Iraqi defense minister sign onto the understanding with Iranian officials.

Askari said a newly formed committee between the two countries would coordinate with the Red Crescent societies in the region to search for human remains and return them to their next of kin.

He said additional negotiations included "redrawing Iraqi-Iranian borders."