Kharrazi rejects charges of Iran`s meddling in Iraq affairs
IRNA
Damascus, Nov 2, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi here Saturday evening categorically rejected that Iran is meddling in Iraq`s domestic affairs, stressing that the proponents of such allegations are merely trying to keep a lid on their failures in Iraq. Kharrazi told IRNA after a ministerial meeting of Iraq`s neighbors that those who accuse Iran of interference in Iraq must provide proof for their claims. "We are confident that they can produce no proof for their claims," he said. Kharrazi said Iran only provides spiritual support for the Iraqi nation, stressing that Tehran has never been pursuing interference in Iraq. "Although Iran is naturally enjoying a significant influence in Iraq by considering the common affinities between the Iranian and the Iraqi nations, the Islamic Republic has never been seeking interference in Iraq," he said. "Tehran wants nothing but the good for the Iraqi nation, and I hope that a representative and democratically elected government would be soon established in Iraq". Kharrazi stressed that Iran is strongly against any effort to sow discord in Iraq. He also refreshed calls on occupation forces to leave Iraq as soon as possible, stressing that the Iraqi people must be enabled to control the affairs of the country under UN aegis. Kharrazi said all Iraq`s neighbors are worried about the developments in the country, adding that any development in Iraq, particularly in the area of security, will affect its neighbors. The fourth meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq`s neighbors opened here behind closed doors on Saturday. Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, and Turkey are taking part in the meeting. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari refused to take part in the meeting as he said he had been invited to the meeting " too late" and "in an inappropriate way". AA/210
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