Iraq Unhappy With Odierno's Iran Bribe Comments

Iraq criticised as "inappropriate" on Wednesday comments by US commander General Raymond Odierno accusing Iran of trying to bribe Iraqi MPs to derail a planned military pact with Washington.

"The Iraqi government expresses its deep concern after the statements attributed to General Raymond Odierno," said government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, describing the remarks as "inappropriate."

"These kind of remarks are likely to tarnish the good relations between Iraq and the forces of the international coalition."

Odierno had said in an interview published by the Washington Post on Monday that Iran was working publicly and covertly to undermine the planned Status of Forces Agreement between Baghdad and Washington that would provide the legal basis for a US troop presence beyond this year.

"Clearly, this is one they're having a 'full court press' on to try to ensure there's never any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq," the paper quoted Odierno as saying, using a basketball expression.

"We know that there are many relationships with people here for many years going back to when Saddam (Hussein) was in charge, and I think they're utilising those contacts to attempt to influence the outcome of the potential vote in the Council of Representatives (parliament)," the general added.

"There are many intelligence reports" that suggest Iranians are "coming in to pay off people to vote against it," he said, while acknowledging that he had no definitive proof.