Occupiers’ Withdrawal Solution to Iraq’s Problems

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his accompanying delegation here on Wednesday that withdrawal of the occupying troops would solve many problems of that country.

During the meeting also attended by Iranian first Vice-President Parviz Dawoodi, the Supreme Leader expressed pleasure with the formation of an independent and stable government in Iraq and expressed the hope that the day would come when Iraqi nation could stand a status it deserves, when alien hands are off the human and material wealth of that country and when Iraqi people themselves could make use of such treasures.

He further voiced Iran’s support for Iraq and stressed, “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that extending practical supports to the Iraqi nation and government is its responsibility.”

Expressing his regret over the routine pains and hardships of the Iraqi people, Ayatollah Khamenei reminded that part of these sufferings is the result of what the former regime of that country has carried out, while another part rises from the presence of the occupying troops in Iraq.

He expressed the hope for the withdrawal of occupiers from Iraq, reiterating, “Once this happens, a major part of Iraq’s problems will be solved.”

For his part, Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki expressed pleasure with his visit to Tehran and appreciated the supports the Islamic Republic of Iran has extended to the Iraqi people and government.

He termed his visit successful and underlined that development of ties with the friendly and neighboring countries sets a top priority in Iraq’s foreign policy.

The Iraqi Premier also elaborated on the conditions dominating his country and the measures his administration has drawn up for solving the existing problems, including efforts to establish solidarity among various sects, ethnicities, peoples and religions, and named insecurity as the main problem of his country, stressing that members of the Ba’th party and Takfiris are the main elements in charge of the said insecurities.

Al-Maliki expressed the hope that Iran-Iraq relations would further develop through the implementation of the agreements concluded in Tehran.