Iraqi PM in Iran

The Iraqi Prime Minister has finished a two-day visit to neighbouring Iran to speak about issues of bilateral interest.

Photo: Iraqi PM in Iran

Bringing with him a large committee of Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki met President Ahmadinejad, who invited him, and other leading figures in Teheran, namely Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the Chairman of the Expediency Council , Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council , Ali Larijani. . The two sides discussed matters related with the areas of regional and international issues, mainly the situation in Iraq today and how Iran can help.

Describing his trip as “positive”, the Iraqi PM stated that “ our policy is non-interference in domestic affairs of neighboring countries, respecting mutual interests and trying to solve remaining problems of the deposed regime ”.

On Thursday, terminating his visit, al Maliki made a pilgrimage to the 8th Shia Imam Reza (PBUH) shrine in Mashhad.

For Iran, the visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister was a turning point in bilateral relations, according to First Vice President Parviz Davoudi, who received al Maliki at the airport. Davoudi stressed that both sides underlined their points in common during the visit and intend to deepen their relations in the area of economic, social and cultural affairs.

At the final joint press conference last night in Teheran, the Iranian Government stated that it supports the I raqi National Reconciliation Plan , inviting all groups to participate in the political process to rebuild Iraqi society. Iran also praised the expulsion of the terrorist group MKO ( Mujahedeen Khalq Organization ) from Iraq, considering that this move will deepen ties further between Baghdad and Teheran.

Iran stressed that it suppoirts the territorial integrity of Iraq, condemned terrorist acts and sides with Baghdad in fighting criminal and terrorist organizations which destabilise society.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru