Maliki: US-Iraq agreement will not harm Iran

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has 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.