Iraq will send delegations to neighbouring countries to explain a pact with the United States allowing US troops to remain on its territory for three years, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office said today.
Iraq is at pains to reassure its neighbours - especially Iran which has influence among Mr Maliki's fellow Shias and opposes the presence of US troops - that the Americans would not use Iraq as a base to strike them.
The pact, which would allow US troops to stay until 2011, has been held up after Baghdad asked for amendments, including tightening the wording on the withdrawal deadline and a stronger pledge not to use Iraqi territory to attack neighbouring states.
Mr Maliki made the pledge in a phone call with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, his office said in a statement.
Concerns were heightened this week by a US attack at the Syrian border that killed eight.
Baghdad initially justified the US raid in Syria as targeting militants but eventually condemned it after Damascus complained, and Iraq said the amended version of the pact would clearly prohibit such strikes.
Washington has said it is studying the proposed Iraqi amendments to the pact, which would replace a UN Security Council mandate that expires at the end of this year.
Reuters