Iran, Iraq to settle border disputes

"The eight-year war between Iran and Iraq and environmental issues have to some extent shifted the border demarcations between the two countries, if corrected the uncertainty regarding the Fakkeh oil field can be resolved," Iran's Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Kazemi-Qomi said on Saturday.

The diplomat was referring to reports, hyped by some American and Arab media outlets, accusing Iranian soldiers of crossing into Iraqi territory and seizing the oil field.

Iran rejected the claims, saying that the well in question was not located on Iraqi soil.

"Due to the large border area that Iran and Iraq share, border guards on both sides must keep in regular contact," Kazemi-Qomi said.

Around 11 border posts are in contact with one another on both sides and next week a joint technical group will convene to correct the border demarcation starting from the western Iranian city of Qasr-e Shirin.

The diplomat expressed hope that the issue of the Fakkeh oil field would be resolved during the process.

The Algiers Accord of March 1975 settled previous border disagreements between Iran and Iraq. The accord clearly determined the common land and water borders between the two countries.

However, there are some uncertainties and disagreements between the Iranian and Iraqis as a result of the 1980-88 war waged by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on Iran.

Prior to attacking Iran, Saddam had declared the agreement to be null and void.

/Press TV/