Iran Says Meddling In Iraq Would Be A "Great Insult"

TEHRAN, Sept 1 (AFP) - Iranian President Mohammad Khatami declared himself Wednesday to be against any interference by his country in Iraqi affairs, labelling any meddling as an "insult" to the Iraqi people.
"Any inappropriate interference in Iraq`s internal affairs and the changing of people`s paths would be a great insult to the Iraqi people," Khatami was quoted as saying by the official news agency IRNA.
The moderate president`s comments were made in a meeting with visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, in Iran on a mission from his US-backed government to press Iran to stop interfering.
According to IRNA, Khatami sought to reassure Saleh by saying "the security of regional countries is interdependent, and therefore insecurity in Iraq jeopardises the peace in countries of the region."
His visit comes amid an effort to ease a recent war of words between the two neighbours, after several Iraqi officials joined the Americans in charging that Iran had been involved in a three-week-long Shiite Muslim uprising in the south and centre and even armed the rebels.
Iran has denied it is interfering, and during Saleh`s visit has offered its help in easing violence.
Iran`s top national security official, Hassan Rowhani, told Saleh on Monday of Iran`s "resolve to join hands" to establish security in Iraq.
And on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi asserted Iran had a "positive role" to play.
Saleh has also been discussing the prospect of a visit here by Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. No date has yet been set for the premier`s visit despite a formal invitation by Iran and trips to Iraq`s other neighbours.