TEHRAN, Dec. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, chairman of the powerful Expediency Council of Iran, said here on Sunday that the US presence in Iraq would inflict misfortunes on the whole Muslim world, the official IRNA news agency reported.

   "The foothold of the Americans in Iraq is a disadvantage for the world of Islam, as it will help Israel take advantage of regional developments," Rafsanjani was quoted as saying at a graduation ceremony of the University of Islamic Faiths.

   "Establishing a free Iraq by the country's Muslims and pushing the US forces out of the country could be considered as are markable move which will bear fruit for Muslims," Rafsanjani said.

   Rafsanjani also reiterated that Iran was ready to help Iraq with a democratic election.

   "Escalation of schisms among religious sects is rooted in animosity and instigation of the enemies. A democratic election could put an end to such issues and the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to help resolve the issue," he said.

   Iran has been keeping a close eye on the developments in its western neighbor since the downfall of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

   The US accused Tehran of spurring insurgences in Iraq with its influence upon the Shiite Muslims of the war-torn country.

   Iran categorically denied the accusation and, in return, owed the turbulence of Iraq to foreign occupation. Enditem