New York: Iranian-backed Hezbollah had been training members of the Mahdi Army, the Iraqi Shiite militia led by Moktada al-Sadr, sources claimed today (Nov 28, 2006).

Around 1,000 to 2,000 fighters from the Mahdi Army and other Shiite militias had been trained by Hezbollah in Lebanon. A small number of Hezbollah operatives have also visited Iraq to help with training, The New York Times quoted an unidentified intelligence official as saying.

Iran has facilitated the link between Hezbollah and the Shiite militias in Iraq, the official said. Syrian officials have also cooperated, though there is debate about whether it has the blessing of the senior leaders in Syria, the Times reported.

The interview with the official, the report said, occurred at a time of intense debate over whether the United States should enlist IranFs help in stabilising Iraq.

The Iraq Study Group, directed by James A Baker III, a former Republican secretary of state, and Lee H Hamilton, a former Democratic lawmaker, is expected to call for direct talks with Tehran.

The claim about Hezbollah's role in training Shiite militias could strengthen the hand of those in the Bush administration who oppose a major new diplomatic involvement with Iran, the Times said.

The new American account, it added, is consistent with a claim made in Iraq this summer by a mid-level Mahdi commander, who said his militia had sent 300 fighters to Lebanon, ostensibly to fight alongside Hezbollah.