Al-Hakim, the chief of the influential Iraqi political party, said in an exclusive interview with KUNA the "stand of the Kuwaiti Government on side of the Iraqi people has been honorable till toppling the Saddami regime." The Iraqi leader, also the head of the largest parliamentary bloc, said these stands of solidarity would be the basis for establishing good relations, based on sound neighborliness.

Asked on outcome of Iranian-US talks, held in the Iraqi capital last month, he indicated that the meeting was significant, but insufficient to tackle strains dating back to a quarter a century.

He added that the Iraqi leaders were seeking to hold a second round of talks at this level and denied reports about his intention to step down from the chairmanship of the party as a result of his illness.