Iranian troops have partially withdrawn from an oil well in a disputed oilfield in southern Iraq, the Iraqi government spokesman said on Sunday.
A small group of Iranian soldiers took control of the oil well in a remote area along the two countries' border last week. Iraq claims that the oil well is part of its Fakka oilfield.
"The Iranian forces have pulled back 50 meters from the well and have lowered their flag but we now demand they return to where they have come from and that negotiations begin on the demarcation of the border," Ali al-Dabbagh said.
Iran earlier rejected allegations it had occupied an Iraqi oil well, saying that the oil well was within its boundaries.
In a telephone conversation held on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshiyar Zebari discussed the need of holding a meeting between officials from both countries to enforce bilateral border agreements.
BAGHDAD, December 20 (RIA Novosti)
