TEHRAN, Feb. 5 (Mehr News Agency) - On Monday, leader of the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Abdul Aziz Hakim, said considering the region's special situation holding direct talks between Iran and the United States will "definitely be very important and effective."

"All Iraqi statesmen support talks (between Iran and the U.S.) and we believe negotiations will bear many results," Hakim told reporters in a joint press conference with Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

Negotiations between Tehran and Washington will be in the interest of the entire region, Hakim added.

The leader of the Iraqi United Alliance in the parliament also said Baghdad is seriously seeking to have good relations with Iran and its other neighbors.

Kidnapped diplomats

The Baghdad government is making intensive efforts to secure the release of Iranian diplomats seized by the U.S. troops in Iraq, the official stated.

U.S. troops stormed the Iranian consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil on January 11 and arrested five diplomats.

Larijani further said that Tehran does its utmost to help develop security in Iraq.

He also said he would take part in a major annual security conference to be held in Munich this weekend. However, he said he has no plans to hold talks with U.S. officials on the sidelines of the conference.

The 43rd Munich Conference will be held on February 9-11 over Security Policy. The conference is scheduled to highlight transatlantic security issues.

... Payvand News - 2/6/07 ... --