BAGHDAD (AP):

Iraq's embattled Prime Minister lashed out at American critics yesterday, saying Sen. Hillary Clinton and other Democrats who have called for his ouster should "come to their senses" and stop treating Iraq like "one of their villages".

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki also lambasted the United States military for raids in Shi'ite neighbourhoods of Baghdad, adding new strains ahead of next month's showdown in Washington over the future of the U.S. mission.

The grim combination of ongoing violence and political deadlock have increased frustration in both Washington and Baghdad, with American lawmakers increasingly critical of al-Maliki's performance and Iraqi leaders growing weary of what they consider unfair U.S. criticism.

Clinton and Sen. Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have called for al-Maliki to be replaced.

"There are American officials who consider Iraq as if it were one of their villages, for example Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin. They should come to their senses," al-Maliki said at a news conference.

Al-Maliki lashed out at recent U.S. military actions in the Baghdad Shi'ite neighbourhoods of Shula and Sadr City, that according to the Iraqis, resulted in civilian casualties.

"Concerning American raids on Shula and Sadr City, there were big mistakes committed in these operations. The terrorist himself should be targeted, not his family," al-Maliki said "We will not allow the detaining of innocent people."