Shiite MP denies Iranian influence to scrap U.S.-Iraq security deal

BAGHDAD/IraqiNews.com: A lawmaker from the main Shiite bloc on Sunday denounced Secular legislator’s comments of an Iranian influence to block the Iraq-U.S. security pact. “MP Izzat al-Shahbandar’s statement that Iranian influence over local factions blocked signing the security deal with U.S. were categorically rejected,” MP Ali al-Allaq from the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) told IraqiNews.com. MP Izzat al-Shahbandar from the secular Iraqi National List (INL) said “there was an Iranian influence over domestic factions to block the security deal with the U.S. Shahbandar noted some Iraqi MPs loyal to religious teaching of cleric Iran-born Kadhim al-Haeri and Ali Khamenei, Iran’s top religious authority. “Iraqis would not allow intervention of any neighbouring country in their internal affairs,” MP al-Allaq said “we have an Iraqi agenda and we are seeking Iraq’s interests only”. “MP Shahbandar’s comments were emotional reflections that went off political propriety,” he explained. The current draft of the long-term security deal has faced opposition from a number of critics who consider the deal an infringement on national sovereignty, especially a provision that would continue to give the U.S. the right to prosecute American soldiers and contractors for most offenses. The pact would replace the U.N. mandate providing a legal basis for foreign forces in Iraq that expires Dec. 31. Iraq’s Cabinet decided last week to ask for changes after key Shiite lawmakers warned the deal stands little chance of approval in its current form. The decision also raised doubts that the agreement can be ratified before a new American president is elected Nov. 4. Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki has said he won’t submit the agreement to parliament unless the Cabinet overwhelmingly approves it. If the Iraqi parliament fails to approve the draft before the U.N. mandate expires Dec. 31, there would be no legal basis for the U.S.-led military mission. That could force Iraq and the U.S. to ask the Security Council to extend the mandate. The proposed security pact called for all U.S. combat forces to be removed from Iraqi cities by June 2009 and for all forces to leave the country by the end of 2011, unless both sides agree to an extension. AM(I) 1