US-Iraq pact seeks to enable 'pillage': Nejad

TEHRAN (AFP) - The draft US-Iraq security accord is aimed at keeping Iraq weak to help America “pillage” the country, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday.

“The Americans have shown that they do not respect any agreement and, if their interests require it, they are ready to sacrifice their closest friends,” he was quoted by state news agency IRNA as saying. “They do not distinguish among Shias, Sunnis and Kurds. They want to prevent the creation of a strong and powerful Iraq, the better to pillage the country,” Ahmadinejad said.

He was speaking during a visit by Massud Barzani, leader of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. Barzani has defended the agreement, saying it is better than the status quo.

Other Iranian leaders joined Ahmadinejad in denouncing the proposed pact on Thursday, including Ali Larijani, speaker of parliament, and Interior Minister Ali Kordan.