Iraqi Shiite leader wants govt say in US security operations

BAGHDAD (AFP) - One of Iraq's most powerful Shiite leaders, Abdel Aziz Hakim, on Wednesday demanded that the government have a say in security operations being conducted by US forces.

Hakim, whose son was briefly detained by US troops after crossing the border from Iran last month, said raids on party offices, arrests of politicians and operations involving aircraft should all be agreed in advance between Iraqi and US commanders.

Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), said a security agreement was needed in order to define the responsibilities of Iraqi and US leaders, his office said.

"We are endeavouring to conclude this security deal," he said at a meeting in Baghdad on Wednesday of the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, of which SCIRI is a part.

Hakim had stressed at the meeting that the focus should be on "arrests, air traffic and other issues," the statement said.