Former bitter foes Iraq and Iran say they will sign a military cooperation agreement in which Iran will help train Iraq's armed forces.
Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani and his Iraqi counterpart Saadun al-Dulaimi announced the agreement Thursday during a joint news conference in Tehran.
Under the deal, Iran would help equip and train the Iraqi army, and the nations would set up committees to combat terrorism, clear minefields and identify missing soldiers from the 1980-1988 war.
Iran opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of coalition forces.
But Mr. al-Dulaimi said any withdrawal would be premature and could pave the way for more violence in Iraq.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
