Iran, Iraq retain warm relations

BAGHDAD, June 23 (UPI) -- Iraq and Iran retain good relations, particularly in efforts to control cross-border militancy and internal threats, the Iraqi national security adviser said.

Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie told Niqash, a political Web site assessing Iraqi affairs, that the relationship with Iran is based on mutual respect and mutual interests.

He referenced "new procedures" enacted by Iran to monitor border activity to prevent weapons smuggling, stressing the measures would tighten border security.

"We also stress that Iraq will not serve as a gateway for terrorism or confrontation with any neighboring country," he added.

On reports of Iranian ire over Kurdish separatist activity along the border with Iraq and concerns over the exiled People's Mujahedin of Iran, based in Diyala province, the national security adviser said both countries were working to find a "final solution" to those internal issues.

U.S. combat forces are obligated under a bilateral security pact with Baghdad to pull out of Iraqi cities by June 30. Rubaie noted that, despite a rise in insurgent activity in Iraq in recent weeks, Iraq is capable of maintaining security.

"We are now more capable of controlling the security situation than foreign forces," he said.