"The decisions that are charting Iraq's course today are Iraq's alone. The people and government of Iraq are in the lead," Clinton said in an address.

"No country should pursue its own interests in Iraq at the expense of Iraq's unity and sovereignty," she told the forum, also attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki whose country has been accused of meddling in Iraq.

"No country should threaten or intimidate or coerce Iraq or political stakeholders in Iraq," Clinton said, without naming Iran.

"We call on our partners in the Gulf region to join in protecting the course Iraqis have elected to take, and furthermore, to play a constructive role in supporting Iraq's full reintegration into the region," Clinton said.

"These actions are in all of our interests, because Iraq's progress is essential for the long-term peace and prosperity of this region."

After more than eight months of wrangling since a parliamentary election in March, Iraq's political factions in late November finally agreed on the formation of a new government under a power-sharing deal.

Clinton was speaking at the Manama Dialogue, an annual gathering of prime ministers, defence ministers and spy chiefs from the region and beyond, convened to discuss Middle East security.

burs/afq/hc

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