Iran´s supreme leader opposes US-Iraq deal

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 06-10-2008 09:10

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has wrapped up a three-day visit to Iran. The two countries have inked an agreement on expanding defense cooperation. But al-Maliki has made little headway in easing Iran's opposition to a US-Iraqi security pact now under negotiations.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) speaks  with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a meeting  in Tehran June 9, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

On Monday, al-Maliki and Iran's First Vice President Parviz Davoudi witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

It called for expansion of defense cooperation and harmonizing overall ties between Tehran and Baghdad.

Prior to his departure, al-Maliki described his visit as successful.

Al-Maliki said, "Definitely, this trip was a step towards accomplishing the two countries' goals. We hope that the agreements we reached within this visit will become operational in the near future."

Al-Maliki's visit came as the United States is pressuring Baghdad to sign an agreement that would allow U.S. soldiers to stay in the country beyond 2008.

Critics say the agreement means Iraq will be a client state, where the U.S. will keep more than 50 military bases and soldiers will have legal immunity.