WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama said Monday there are differences of opinion between the United States and Iraq over Syria but Baghdad isn't appeasing Iran.
At a joint news conference in Washington after Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Obama said the two leaders had discussed Syria and "share the view that, when the Syrian people are being killed or are unable to express themselves, that's a problem."
Obama said while the United States wants Syrian President Bashar Assad out of power, he recognizes Iraq, which borders Syria, is "in a tough neighborhood."
"But we believe that international pressure, the approach we've taken along with partners around the world, to impose tough sanctions and to call on Assad to step down, a position that is increasingly mirrored by the Arab League states, is the right position to take," Obama said.
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"Even if there are tactical disagreements between Iraq and the United States at this point in how to deal with Syria, I have absolutely no doubt that these decisions are being made based on what Prime Minister Maliki believes is best for Iraq, not based on considerations of what Iran would like to see."
Maliki said the people of the region "must get their freedom" and his administration supports them because "we have achieved that ourselves." However, while supporting the aspiration of the Syrian people "I cannot have ... the right to ask a president to abdicate."
"Iraq is a country that is bordering on Syria, and I'm concerned about the interest of Iraq and the interest of the security of the region," Maliki said. "And I wish that what is required by the Syrian people will be achieved without affecting the security of Iraq. And I know the two countries are related to each other and we must be very prudent in dealing with this matter."
Maliki said while Iraq supports the the Arab League's initiative, he does not "encourage a blockade because it exhausts the people and the government."
"I believe that all the parties realize the dangers of a sectarian war in Iraq and Syria and the region because it will be like a snowball that will expand and will be difficult to control it," he said. "If we can reach a solution, we'll avoid all the evils and the dangers."
Obama said Maliki has been explicit in his interest is "maintaining Iraqi sovereignty and preventing meddling by anybody inside of Iraq."
"And I believe him," the president said. "And he has shown himself to be willing to make very tough decisions in the interests of Iraqi nationalism, even if they cause problems with his neighbor.
