BREAKING NEWS

Iran's president praises Iraqi government deal

TEHRAN, Iran  — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday praised Iraqi moves to form a new government that would keep in power politicians with close ties to Tehran, state media reported.
The official IRNA news agency said Ahmadinejad spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani by telephone to congratulate them on the agreement Iraqi lawmakers reached this week that brings all of Iraq's major political blocs into a new government led by al-Maliki.