Baghdad - The Iraqi Parliament said on Thursday the top US general in Iraq violated diplomatic norms and interfered in internal affairs when he accused Iraqi lawmakers of taking bribes from Iran.

"(The comments) are an insult to the representatives of the people," the parliament said in a statement quoted by the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency.

Odierno, who took over the command of the US forces in Iraq in mid-September, had accused lawmakers of receiving bribes from Iran to oppose the passing of a long-term security agreement with the United States,

Iran fears the plan would cement the presence of its enemy just across its border.

The security pact, which Iraq has said is in its final stages, will stipulate conditions for the presence of US troops in Iraq. The US military has accused Iran of financing and training groups attacking US forces in Iraq. (dpa)