US warns Iraq on Iranian overflights
Source: Agencies |
March 25, 2013, Monday
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THE US has made clear that Iraq shouldn't allow Iran to use its airspace to ship weapons and fighters to Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday during an unannounced trip to Baghdad.
Following private discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Kerry said the two had a "very spirited discussion" on the subject of Iranian overflights. The US believes the Iranian shipments are aiding Syrian President Bashar Assad and undermining Western-backed opposition groups.
"I made it very clear that for those of us who are engaged in an effort to see President Assad step down ... anything that supports President Assad is problematic," Kerry said.
Kerry also said US lawmakers and the American people are "increasingly watching what Iraq is doing and wondering how it is a partner."
In the absence of a complete ban on flights, the Americans would at least like the planes to land and be inspected in Iraq to ensure that they are carrying humanitarian supplies.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton secured a pledge from Iraq to inspect the flights last year, but since then only two aircraft have been checked by Iraqi authorities, according to US officials.
A senior official said it was in Iraq's interest to prevent the situation in Syria from deteriorating further.
Following private discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Kerry said the two had a "very spirited discussion" on the subject of Iranian overflights. The US believes the Iranian shipments are aiding Syrian President Bashar Assad and undermining Western-backed opposition groups.
"I made it very clear that for those of us who are engaged in an effort to see President Assad step down ... anything that supports President Assad is problematic," Kerry said.
Kerry also said US lawmakers and the American people are "increasingly watching what Iraq is doing and wondering how it is a partner."
In the absence of a complete ban on flights, the Americans would at least like the planes to land and be inspected in Iraq to ensure that they are carrying humanitarian supplies.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton secured a pledge from Iraq to inspect the flights last year, but since then only two aircraft have been checked by Iraqi authorities, according to US officials.
A senior official said it was in Iraq's interest to prevent the situation in Syria from deteriorating further.
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