BAGHDAD, July 30 (AFP) - US Secretary Colin Powell, making an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Friday, warned neighboring Iran against seeking undue influence in Iraq while pledging to speed the flow of reconstruction funds to the country.
"Any actions taken by Iran which seek to gain influence in Iraq we would look at with disfavor," he said, adding: "We continue to monitor the situation."
Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, he said: "We hope the Iran authorities realize that it is in their interest to have a stable Iraq as their neighbor."
After talks with Saleh and the public works, minerals and housing ministers, Powell said: "We want to speed up the flow of funds into the reconstruction effort ... to get the job done."
He said improvements in supplies of water and electricity, as well as infrastructure would "contribute to the sense of safety and improve the security environment."
Powell however was forced to admit that the wave of kidnappings in Iraq, with at least 25 people currently held captive or missing, had a "deterring effect" on reconstruction and the multinational coalition.
"There is nothing romantic about this. There is nothing justified about this. The world must stand united," he said.