Talabani Wants Iran’s Help

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said on Monday he was seeking Iran’s full co-operation to stabilize Iraq as he started talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who vowed that Tehran would help.

“We need Iran’s comprehensive help to fight terrorism, restore security and stabilize Iraq,” Talabani told reporters at the beginning of a two-day visit to Iraq’s eastern neighbor.

Ahmadinejad vowed to co-operate, saying, “We will help our Iraqi brothers with all that we can to implement and reinforce security in Iraq.”

The Iraqi president, who is due to meet with Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, said his visit to Tehran was aimed at “negotiating for the expansion of ties in all fields”.

Talabani, who speaks Farsi fluently, continued, “The talks will address issues of politics, commerce, oil, culture and security in particular.”

Iran insists that the Iraqi problem will be resolved if the US-led occupation forces pull out of Iraq.