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Iran, Syria stress withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq

IRNA

Damascus, Sept 9, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and Syrian 
Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam stressed here Monday the 
withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. 
Kharrazi, who arrived here on Monday at the head of a 
politico-economic delegation, said Iran believes representatives of 
the Iraqi nation should determine the Iraqi people`s fate. 
"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomed Iraq`s Transitional 
Governing Council as the first step to transfer the administration 
of affairs to the Iraqi people and to bring about the withdrawal of 
the occupiers from the country," Kharrazi said. 
He pointed to the constructive role of Iraqi neighbors and said 
consultations between Syria, Iran and other neighboring countries had 
good outcomes and achievements. 
"Iran believes the Iraqi people and groups can determine their 
political fate, end the country`s occupation and secure the national 
unity and territorial integrity through wise policies of neighboring 
countries," Kharrazi said. 
The minister said Iran and Syria are committed to fundamental 
principles to confront challenges and said, "The wisdom and commitment
of Iranian and Syrian statesmen and peoples in regards to these 
principles in confrontation with challenges and various dangers have 
always safeguarded the sovereignty and political independence of the 
two countries." 
Khaddam, for his part, pointed to the assassination of Ayatollah 
Mohammad Baqer Hakim which aimed to weaken the Iraqi unity and 
solidarity and said Iran and Syria should recognize the aspects of 
dangerous plots against the Iraqi people and groups through expansion 
of consultation and coordination regarding these dangerous 
consequences and should support the Iraqis. 
Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Hakim, the head of the Supreme Assembly 
of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SAIRI), was recently martyred in a 
car bomb blast when he was returning from Friday prayers in Najaf. 
Some 125 people were martyred in the blast. 
"Joint cooperation between Iran and Syria and their coordination 
in policies regarding threats and ill-intentions of foreign powers can
neutralize all plots against the region," Khaddam said. 
"The successful experience of Iran and Syria in confrontation with
threats proved that solidarity between the two countries can meet 
common interests of regional states," he added. 
SF/210