Iraqi Prime Minister Meets the Leader

Visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, September 13. 

Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, the Leader referred to the Iraqi nation’s progress and prosperity as the progress and prosperity of the Iranian nation and also of the entire region.

Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed pleasure over the formation of an independent and lasting government in Iraq. He stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself duty-bound to extend substantial assistance to the Iraqi nation and government.

“We hope that the day will soon come when the Iraqi nation attains the status that it deserves, and we also hope that after the aliens leave Iraq, the national wealth and abundant resources of that country will be at the disposal of the Iraqi nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.

Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic expressed sorrow over the hardships and afflictions suffered by the Iraqi people every day. He noted that some of these tribulations and sufferings can be attributed to the actions of the former tyrannical regime in Iraq, and others to the presence of the occupiers in that country.

“When the occupiers leave Iraq, many of the problems currently facing the Iraqi people will be solved. Thus, we hope that the occupiers will soon leave that country,” the Leader stated.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki, for his part, expressed pleasure over his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also voiced his gratitude for the stances taken by the Islamic Republic in support of the Iraqi nation and government.

Describing his visit to Iran as ‘successful’, the Iraqi prime minister stressed that the expansion of relations with friendly and neighboring countries is one of the major priorities on Iraq’s foreign policy agenda.

Prime Minister Al-Maleki further expounded on the current situation in Iraq and on the measures taken by the Iraqi government to solve the existing problems in that country. He also referred to the efforts made to promote unity and solidarity among various Iraqi tribes and ethnic and religious groups.

“The most serious problem facing Iraq is the issue of insecurity, for which the Ba’thist and excommunicatory elements are mostly responsible,” the Iraqi prime minister noted.

Prime Minister Al-Maleki also expressed hope that the putting into effect of the agreements reached between the Iranian and Iraqi officials in Tehran will help the relations between the two countries to be further expanded.