SelectPlusIraqi and Iranian Leaders MeetIraqi and Iranian Leaders MeetThe Associated PressIraq's prime minister is in Iran for two days of talks with leaders about security issues. (June 9)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] For the second time in a year, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is paying a visit to his neighbor - IRAN.He's already met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other government leaders.Al-Maliki is a Shiite which is the group blamed for much of the violence in Iraq. And IRAN is accused of arming and funneling Shiite extremists into Iraq after training them.That puts al-Maliki in the tough spot of trying to keep Washington happy, while reassuring his neighbors that a US-Iraqi security agreement won't make Iraq a launching pad for potential attacks on Iran.Iran fiercely opposes the pending agreement saying it will lead to permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. An aide to al-Maliki says the prime minister will offer assurances that the US presence in his country is no threat to Iran...but...he also plans to complain about Iran's public campaign against the agreement, as interference in Iraq's internal affairs.Also likely to come up -- US allegations that Iran is arming, training and funding Shiite militiamen in Iraq. Iran denies those charges. ___ ___, The Associated Press
