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U.S. charges Iran of supporting militants rocketing Green Zone

BAGHDAD, July 10 (KUNA) -- U.S. military in Iraq have accused Iran Saturday of supporting the militant groups who fired Katyusha rockets at Baghdad's Green Zone during the recent visit made by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Iraq.
Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Iraq Divison Ralph Baker said in a press conference held here today that, "anxiety continues over the Iranian influence in Iraq at a time when political blocs there seeks the formation of a new government." Baker also pointed out that latest rocket attacks on the Green Zone during Biden's visit is "an example of Iran's interference in order to harm the Iraqi people," asserting that, "Iran continues training terrorist cells that launch attacks with the aim of establishing an Iraq succumbing to Tehran's influence." Further, Baker drew attentions that U.S. troops in Iraq works since 18 months toward transferring prisoners whom they detain to the Iraqi side according to a definite mechanism, noting that Iraqi judicial authorities would consider the files of these detainees.
In the same vein, U.S. ambassador in Baghdad Christopher Hill renewed his country's support to Iraq at the political and security levels, asserting that U.S. officials would make other visits to the country later on to foster the efforts of forming a new Iraqi government.
Hill added in a press conference held at the headquarters of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad today that the latest visit by the U.S. Vice President did not aim at supporting a winning candidate elections at the expense of another, but it came within the framework of the U.S support to the endeavors of forming a new government.
He also prodded various political blocs to continue political conventions and to promote dialogue among them in order to narrow the divide and succeed in forming a robust cabinet.
Finally, Hill asserted that his country would work toward supporting Iraq in the security field even after the U.S. troop withdrawal, reasserting at the same time his confidence in the performance of the Iraqi security forces. (end) mhk.ahh.bsr.aff KUNA 102028 Jul 10NNNN