Al-Maliki, who has seen sectarian violence rise since taking office May 20, 2006, despite two previous efforts to secure the capital, declared that Iraqi forces will live up to their responsibilities and told his commanders they must not disappoint those "who stand beside us."

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"As far as the security issue is concerned, we should be determined and committed. We should carry out the operation on time and should not delay because the delay will be used against us by our enemies," he added.

Al-Maliki also accused other countries in the region of supporting militants to destabilize Iraq and prevent democracy from spreading - an apparent reference to US rivals Iran and Syria.

"We have many times talked about this interference and said that we will not sit endlessly silent about those who interfere in our affairs and support terrorism," he said.

Iran, meanwhile, condemned Sunday's abduction of an Iranian diplomat as he drove through Baghdad, saying it held the United States responsible for the diplomat's "safety and life."

One Iraqi government official said the Iranian was detained Sunday by an Iraqi army unit that reports directly to the US military. A military spokesman denied any US troops or Iraqis that report to them were involved.

"We've checked with our units and it was not an MNF-I (Multi-National Forces - Iraq) unit that participated in that event," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a US military spokesman.

Suspicion also fell on a range of possible culprits - Iraqi commandos, rogue elements in the security forces, Sunni insurgents or criminals seeking ransom.

The diplomat was abducted as tension between Iran and the United States is mounting over alleged Iranian support of Shiite extremists in Iraq and US efforts to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear program. Iran says it wants to use the technology to generate nuclear power.

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