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US blamed for Iraq’s cancellation of arms deals with Russia

10 November 2012 14:48 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Iraq canceled arms deals with Russia due to the US pressure on Baghdad, a senior official of the Russian Defense Industry Complex, who wants to remain anonymous, told RIA Novosti.

â€œThe US backs Iraq’s statement to cancel arms deal with Russia. The aim of Washington is to foil the realization of Russia-Iraq agreements," said the source.

Iraq is annulling a $4.2 billion arms deal with Russia it reached earlier this year over concerns about possible corruption, an Iraqi government spokesman said.

Russia and Iraq had touted the agreement to deliver Russian attack helicopters and mobile air-defense systems following last monthâ€™s visit to Moscow by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, during which he met his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev.

"When Maliki returned from his trip to Russia, he had some suspicions of corruption, so he decided to review the whole deal," a spokesman for Maliki told AFP on Saturday.

"There is an investigation going on, on this," he added.

Russia will deliver attack helicopters and mobile air-defense systems to Iraq in arms deals worth $4.2 billion signed earlier this year, it was disclosed today during a visit to Moscow by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki