Iraq Qaeda says Iran wants to 'destroy' Sunnis-Web

DUBAI, July 10 (Reuters) An al Qaeda-led group said Iran was trying to destroy Sunni Muslims in Iraq and blasted the Islamic republic for hosting a conference of Iraq's neighbours, according to an Internet statement today.

''Safavids (Shi'ites) in Iran want to support the new Iraqi apostate government to achieve their historic dream to ...

destroy Sunnis in Iraq and create the Shi'ite crescent in the region,'' said the statement by the Mujahideen Shura Council.

''To do that they will compromise with crusaders on their alleged nuclear programme,'' added the statement posted on a Web site often used by Islamist militants.

The group is leading a Sunni Muslim insurgency against US-led forces in Iraq and the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Tehran hosted a meeting of ministers from Baghdad's neighbours and other Arab states that backed an Iraqi reconciliation plan to quell violence and the government's efforts to combat ''terrorism''.

Washington has charged Tehran of meddling in the sectarian strife in Iraq, an accusation denied by Iran. Some Sunni-led Arab states are also wary of Shi'ite Iran's role in Iraq.

The United States and Iran are also at odds over Tehran's nuclear power programme, which Western nations suspect is a cover for making weapons while Tehran insists is peaceful.

REUTERS SY HS2311