Iraq would welcome US military bases -Talabani

WASHINGTON, Sep 25 (Reuters) Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said he would like to have U.S. military bases in his country for an extended period to prevent foreign interference in Iraq, the Washington Post said today.

Talabani was asked in an interview in New York last week if US bases would be welcome in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

''Yes, they are welcome,'' he said. ''Kurdistan wants the Americans to stay. In some places Sunnis want the Americans to stay. Sunnis think the main danger is coming from Iran now.

There is a change in the mind of the Sunnis. The Sunnis are for having good relations with America.'' Talabani said Iraq would be in need of US forces for ''a long time'' to prevent interference from other nations.

''I don't ask to have 100,000 American soldiers -- 10,000 soldiers and two air bases would be enough,'' he said. ''This will be (in) the interest of the Iraqi people and of peace in West Asia.'' Talabani said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had received strong assurances during a recent trip to Iran that Tehran would not meddle in Iraqi affairs.

Despite daily attacks and the prospects of civil war, Talabani said democracy is beginning to take root in Iraq.

''Iraq is not in chaos,'' he said. ''I want to assure the American people that Iraqis are now enjoying democracy and human rights and are struggling to secure the country.

REUTERS MQA DS1435