Agence France-Presse reported: Iranian secret service agents are working to “sabotage” the operations of groups fighting Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Baghdad’s intelligence chief said overnight. Mohammed Abdullah Shahwani issued the statement shortly before a landmark visit to Baghdad on Sunday by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

“We have information confirming that Iranian secret services have sent agents to sabotage the Sahwa(Awakening Councils) experience in Iraq,” he said, referring to mostly Sunni groups fighting al-Qaeda in Iraq alongside the US military.

Mr. Shahwani “stressed the need for the Iraqi people to be vigilant in facing these activities”.

Al-Hurra TV reported that Mr. Shahwani asked the Iraqi Security systems to prosecute Iranian regime’s mercenaries in Iraq.