Ministers reach accord on Iraqi security

AMMAN, Jordan, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Interior ministers from eight of Iraq's neighbors wrapped up a meeting in Jordan pledging support for Iraq's government and security in the region.

The fifth Meeting of the Ministers of Interior of Iraq's Neighbors convened in Amman, Jordan, to examine progress reached since a 2007 summit in Kuwait.

A security agreement was signed with Iraq and the interior ministers as well as pledges of support for the fledgling government, the English-language Arab News said Friday.

"All countries neighboring Iraq want the Iraqi people to live in peace and security," said Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi interior minister.

The meeting coincided with ongoing negotiations surrounding the bilateral agreement set to replace the expiring U.N. mandate for Iraq, prompting the Iranian interior minister to weigh in on the deal.

"We believe that the Iraqi people must remain strong enough to take their own decisions in line with their interests," said Ali Kordan. "Iran will support any document that is accepted by the Iraqis."