Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who is currently visiting Tehran, said during a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that he doubted that the U.S. intended to do its part in the Iraq-U.S. security agreement, and called on Iran to help rehabilitate his country.
Al-Maliki promised to set a timetable to close the "file" on the Iranian opposition organization Mojahedeen-e Khalq which is operating in Iraq, and to move ahead with its transfer to a third country.
Khamenei said that the Americans were bullies who did not keep promises, and therefore resistance was the only way to confront the plots of the U.S. and Britain.
In contrast to his meeting with Khamenei last summer, Al-Maliki this time chose to keep his necktie on during his meeting with Iranian officials, including Khamenei.
Iranian officials do not wear neckties because it is considered a form of a cross.
Sources: IRNA, Iran; Al-Zaman, London, January 4, 2009; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, January 5, 2009
