LOC20:28
17:28 GMT
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)
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KUNA 102028 Jul 10NNNN