Bush tells Iraqi PM Iran's meddling must stop

BAGHDAD, June 13 (Reuters) US President George W Bush today told Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad that Iran's ''interference'' in Iraq must end, Iraqi government sources who attended the talks said.

''Bush said 'we have heard reports that Iran is interfering in Iraq and this must stop','' one of the sources told Reuters.

The United States has accused Iran of smuggling components for roadside bombs planted by insurgents and meddling in Iraq's internal affairs. Tehran has denied the allegations.

Once war foes in the 1980s, Iraq and Shi'ite Iran have improved ties since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, allowing Iraq's long-oppressed Shi'ite majority to become dominant.

Iran's foreign minister recently said the Tehran government had called off plans to hold talks with US officials on Iraq, accusing Washington of trying to exploit the issue to spread propaganda.

The United States is leading a campaign to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear ambitions, accusing Tehran of trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is for electricity generation only.

REUTERS SY BD2211