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Iraq's Maliki set for Iran talks Iraq's Maliki set for Iran talks
(about 2 hours later)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is due to arrive in Iran for talks which are expected to concentrate mainly on security issues.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is due to arrive in Iran for talks which are expected to concentrate mainly on security issues.
Mr Maliki's visit comes only days after Iran and the US held a third round of talks in Baghdad aimed at improving security in Iraq.Mr Maliki's visit comes only days after Iran and the US held a third round of talks in Baghdad aimed at improving security in Iraq.
Iran and Iraq fought an eight-year-war war in the 1980s. Iran and Iraq fought an eight-year war in the 1980s.
But ties between the mainly Shia Iran and the Shia-dominated Iraqi government have become increasingly close.But ties between the mainly Shia Iran and the Shia-dominated Iraqi government have become increasingly close.
'Constructive role''Constructive role'
Mr Maliki is visiting Iran at a time of increasing domestic and international pressure on his government.Mr Maliki is visiting Iran at a time of increasing domestic and international pressure on his government.
Virtually all the Sunni members of his cabinet have withdrawn, leading to speculation about his political future; and Washington has been increasingly critical of his administration's record.Virtually all the Sunni members of his cabinet have withdrawn, leading to speculation about his political future; and Washington has been increasingly critical of his administration's record.
But from Iran, at least, Mr Maliki can expect strong expressions of support and offers of further help to quell the ongoing violence in Iraq.But from Iran, at least, Mr Maliki can expect strong expressions of support and offers of further help to quell the ongoing violence in Iraq.
Co-operation on security is expected to be top of the agenda.Co-operation on security is expected to be top of the agenda.
Baghdad has expressed hope that the ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran about Iraqi security could be held at a higher level, and the Iranian and Iraqi delegations may well discuss the next step in that dialogue.Baghdad has expressed hope that the ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran about Iraqi security could be held at a higher level, and the Iranian and Iraqi delegations may well discuss the next step in that dialogue.
Although Iran is strongly opposed to the presence of US forces in Iraq, it is anxious to prevent the country disintegrating.Although Iran is strongly opposed to the presence of US forces in Iraq, it is anxious to prevent the country disintegrating.
It has strong historical ties with Iraqi Shia groups and would like a relatively strong Shia-dominated government to remain in power there.It has strong historical ties with Iraqi Shia groups and would like a relatively strong Shia-dominated government to remain in power there.
US officials have recently accused Iran of stepping up its support for Iraqi militias - allegations Iran has always staunchly denied.US officials have recently accused Iran of stepping up its support for Iraqi militias - allegations Iran has always staunchly denied.
But Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said this week that Iran had always played a constructive role in helping Baghdad to restore security and stability.But Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said this week that Iran had always played a constructive role in helping Baghdad to restore security and stability.