Maliki: US-Iraq agreement will not harm Iran

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki assured officials in Teheran that a proposed US-Iraq security agreement would not harm neighboring Iran.

Al-Maliki, quoted by Iran's state broadcaster Sunday, said the Baghdad government would not allow Iraq to become a launching pad for "harming" neighboring Iran.

Al-Maliki's comments come after talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. Al-Maliki said his government places great value on Iran's security, a clear reference to Iranian fears of a US attack, according to a report on the broadcaster's Web site.

The Iraqi premier is also expected to hold separate talks Sunday with Iranian leaders, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Teheran fiercely opposes the agreement, which the US and Iraq hope to finish it by midsummer.