Asefi brushes off Iraqi minister allegation against Iran
Tehran, April 18, IRNA
Asefi-Madaen-Allegation
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi on Monday said claims by an Iraqi minister over Iran's involvement in Madaen hostage taking event, southern Baghdad, are quite baseless.
He stressed "What has been happened in the city of Madaen is suspicious and Iran strongly condemns it," the Information and Press Department at Foreign Ministry reported.
The comments of Iraqi Interior Minister Falah Hassan al-Naqib are baseless and ridiculous and he has made his comments out of his personal intention to show off, Asefi added.
Iraqi Interior Minister Falah Hassan al-Naqib said earlier today that Iran was involved in Madaen hostage taking event.
Some 60 Iraqi Shiites were taken as hostage late Friday by Sunni gunmen in the city of Madaen, about 40 km southeast of Baghdad.
According to the media, the hostage takers said they would kill the hostages unless the Shiites leave the city.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi condemned here Sunday the taking hostage of a large group of Shiites in the Iraqi city of Madaen by armed men and said that Iran rejected any act against the innocent and ordinary Iraqi citizens.
"Such moves are carried out by groups and individuals who oppose restoration of stability and security to Iraq following the establishment of its parliament and formation of a new government in that country," Asefi told domestic and foreign reporters during his weekly press briefing here Sunday.
1405/2322/1432
::IRNA No.086 18/04/2005 19:41 --End
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