Iran supports disarming of militias in Iraq-report

Source: Reuters

TEHRAN, May 4 (Reuters) - Iran backs efforts by the Iraqi government to disarm militiamen, an Iranian news agency said on Sunday, after Baghdad said a delegation was sent to Tehran last week to urge it to stop supporting Shi'ite militias.

The delegation from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's ruling United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) travelled to Iran after fresh U.S. accusations that Iranian-made weapons were found in Iraq.

Iran confirmed discussions took place with the visiting Iraqi delegation to help end fighting in its neighbour. Tehran has in the past denied supporting militias loyal to anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

"We support the Iraqi government's efforts to disarm militiamen but we also advise (it) to avoid confronting people," ISNA news agency quoted an unnamed official as saying.

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