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Rowhani reiterates Iran`s interest in close ties with Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 12, IRNA -- Iran`s National Security Council (NSC) 
secretary Hassan Rowhani reiterated Iran`s interest in maintaining 
close ties and cooperation with the Iraqi nation as well as the 
present government in that country. 
Rowhani made the remark during a meeting with the visiting head 
of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), 
Abdul Aziz Hakim, here Monday. 
During the meeting, he pointed out that Iran was interested in 
maintaining close and brotherly relations with the Iraqi nation and 
favored a free, independent and prosperous Iraq with a popular 
government representing all classes in society. 
He also said that Iran was willing to provide the necessary 
facilities for Iraq`s private and public sector to flourish in trade 
and other areas and also facilitate visits of pilgrims from either 
side. 
Rowhani went on to stress that Iraq will never be truly 
independent and sovereign unless and until all foreign occupiers 
leave the country, adding that the Iraqi nation had sufficiently 
proven during the occupation period that they cannot be cowered by 
alien forces. 
He pointed to the holding of free and fair elections, rewriting 
of the country`s constitution by the true representatives of the 
nation, measures to defend Iraq`s territorial integrity and good 
neighborly ties as the basic requirements to ensure stability and 
security in the country. 
The INSC secretary dismissed talks of possible changes in 
geographical borders, saying these would only serve to fuel 
instability in the region. 
He said he believes the Shiites, the Sunnis and the Kurds should 
instead exercise vigilance in the defense of their country`s 
territorial integrity in order to remove any pretext for occupiers to 
continue staying in the country. 
He said it was important that elections be held in the country as 
soon as possible as any delay would serve to distance the ordinary 
Iraqi people from those who would lead the country. 
Hakim further said that close relations between Iran and Iraq 
would be in their mutual interest, and called for all-out efforts to 
expand ties. 
Briefing Rowhani on the latest developments in Iraq, he said 
security was the most urgent need of the people today. 
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