Yet, the U.S. has been arguing that Iran backs Iraqi Shiite militias to create unrest. Iran denies the accusation.

Maliki does not want his key allies to settle a score in his territory.

Ubiedi said the pact with the United States is a hard test for Maliki who for a long time has been trying to balance the ties with his U.S. and Iranian allies.

"I believe that despite Maliki's strong words about the pact, his speech was in line with the U.S. demands that Iraq should be open to the Arab world to confront the Iranian interference in Iraq."

Ubiedi also considered that "Maliki's speech was a letter of assurance for his Iranian allies that Iraq would keep its relations balanced with both U.S. and Iran."

"The game is not over and I have to admit that, so far, Maliki was a very good survivor in leading a country like Iraq in such circumstances, and he is also good at playing a double game between the two foes: the U.S. and Iran," Ubiedi concluded.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2008)