Al-Maliki in warning to neighbouring countries

The incoming prime minister told neighbouring countries in an interview televised today not to interfere in Iraq, while expressing gratitude to them for sheltering dissidents during Saddam Hussein’s rule.

Jawad al-Maliki made the comment during an interview with Iraqi state television – his first since he was tapped three days ago to form a new government.

Al-Maliki, a Shiite who spent years in exile in Syria, specifically thanked Iran, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for sheltering Saddam’s opponents.

But he added that such gratitude did not mean the Iraqis would tolerate “security interference” or involvement with “certain movements inside Iraq.”

His comments appeared directed primarily at Shiite-dominated Iran, which sheltered Iraqi Shiite groups which now wield great political influence here, and Syria, which has been accused of harbouring Saddam loyalists directing the Sunni insurgency.