‘Iran fully backs new Iraqi PM’
26 Aug 2014 6:08 AM IST
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reiterated Tehran’s position that Iran fully supports new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
In a meeting with al-Abadi in Baghdad on Sunday, Zarif also said Iran attaches great value to the Iraqi people’s choice of prime minister. On August 14, Nouri Maliki resigned as Iraqi prime minister, a move which was expected to help end a political crisis in Iraq. Zarif pointed to good relations between Iran and Iraq during Maliki’s premiership and expressed hope that the relations would be expanded.
The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to hold talks with the Iraqi officials. Al-Abadi highlighted the importance of joint efforts by Iran and Iraq in campaign against terrorism. He stated that Iraq is ready to expand cooperation with Iran in gas industry and economic sphere.
Zarif also held a separate meeting with former Iraqi prime minister Maliki on Sunday and praised his efforts in fight against terrorism and maintaining the country’s stability.
He described the role played by al-Maliki as ‘remarkable’ in the fight against terrorism and maintaining stability in Iraq during the recent months.Terrorism poses threat to all the regional countries, the Iranian foreign minister stated.
He added that countering against terrorism requires all the regional countries’ cooperation.Zarif also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri separately on Sunday. The officials discussed regional and international issues during their meeting.
Zarif is scheduled to visit the shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala on Monday. He will meet with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf.
He also plans to make a trip to Erbil and Sulaymaniyah on Tuesday to hold talks with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani.
In a meeting with al-Abadi in Baghdad on Sunday, Zarif also said Iran attaches great value to the Iraqi people’s choice of prime minister. On August 14, Nouri Maliki resigned as Iraqi prime minister, a move which was expected to help end a political crisis in Iraq. Zarif pointed to good relations between Iran and Iraq during Maliki’s premiership and expressed hope that the relations would be expanded.
The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to hold talks with the Iraqi officials. Al-Abadi highlighted the importance of joint efforts by Iran and Iraq in campaign against terrorism. He stated that Iraq is ready to expand cooperation with Iran in gas industry and economic sphere.
Zarif also held a separate meeting with former Iraqi prime minister Maliki on Sunday and praised his efforts in fight against terrorism and maintaining the country’s stability.
He described the role played by al-Maliki as ‘remarkable’ in the fight against terrorism and maintaining stability in Iraq during the recent months.Terrorism poses threat to all the regional countries, the Iranian foreign minister stated.
He added that countering against terrorism requires all the regional countries’ cooperation.Zarif also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri separately on Sunday. The officials discussed regional and international issues during their meeting.
Zarif is scheduled to visit the shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala on Monday. He will meet with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf.
He also plans to make a trip to Erbil and Sulaymaniyah on Tuesday to hold talks with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani.
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