Talabani urges Iran to help rein in Iraqi militias

Reuters: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani urged neighbouring Iran to help rein in militias carrying out sectarian violence in his country and said Syria and the Islamic Republic could make it easier for Iraq to combat terrorism. DUBAI, July 6 (Reuters) – Iraqi President Jalal Talabani urged neighbouring Iran to help rein in militias carrying out sectarian violence in his country and said Syria and the Islamic Republic could make it easier for Iraq to combat terrorism.

“Iran can help us to restrain and rehabilitate certain militias that have links with Iran which are creating sectarian problems,” Talabani told Dubai-based al-Arabiya television.

“If we can win Syria and Iran to Iraq’s side in combating terrorism, the task would be easier, and would enable us to eliminate 70 percent of terrorism.”

Talabani last week accused Arab states including Syria of “conniving” against Baghdad out of fear it would build a democracy that could inspire other peoples in the region to seek greater freedom.

Western powers led by the U.S. and some Iraqi officials accuse Iran of backing violence and sectarian fighting in Iraq. Tehran denies the charges, and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said his country supports the Iraqi government. Iraqi and U.S. officials have accused both Iran and Syria of allowing insurgents to cross to Iraq from their territories.