Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi denies murder plot

BAGHDAD, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi rejected allegations Tuesday he issued orders to security guards to kill other government officials.

Al-Hashimi, a Sunni, countered the allegations by accusing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, of using the country's security forces to go after political opponents, especially Sunnis. In a nationally televised news conference, al-Hashimi said Shiite security forces forced his guards to make false confessions.

"The accusations have not been proven, so the accused is innocent until proven guilty," he told reporters in Erbil, the capital of northern Kurdistan. Due to Erbil's autonomy, Maliki's security forces cannot act on the arrest warrant put out for al-Hashimi Monday. Al-Hashimi has said he will not return to Baghdad, meaning for the time being he is an internal exile.

The Shiite-led government played videotaped confessions on national TV Monday from men alleged to be his bodyguards who were issued orders by al-Hashimi to commit murders. They claimed al-Hashimi paid them in cash to use roadside bombs and silencer-equipped pistols to dispatch Iraqi government officials and security officers.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Tuesday the United States wants to see the allegations dealt with fairly in Iraqi courts.

"We've obviously been in ... discussion ... with all major players in Iraq on our hope and expectation that they will resolve their disputes peacefully, that they will resolve their disputes in a manner that comports with Iraqi law, comports with international standards," Nuland said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday the Obama administration is "obviously concerned" about the situation in Iraq.

"We closely monitor the reports," he said. "And we urge the Iraqi authorities charged with this responsibility to conduct their investigations into alleged terrorist activities in accordance with international legal norms and full respect for Iraqi law.

"Ambassador James Jeffrey, as well as other ... senior U.S. officials have been in frequent contact with Iraqi leaders on this matter and will continue to do so."

Vice President Joe Biden has been a key player in U.S. diplomatic policy in Iraq, but Carney said he had no information regarding any conversations Biden may have had with Iraqi officials on this issue.