Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Kharrazi calls for expansion of all-out cooperation with Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Baghdad, May 18, IRNA
Iran-Iraq-Kharrazi
Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi who is currently on a visit to Iraq said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to broaden all-out cooperation with Iraq.

During the visit, the Iranian foreign minister is to confer with the Iraqi high ranking officials on issues of mutual interests.

In a meeting with Leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Seyed Abdul Aziz al Hakim, Kharrazi reviewed the latest development in Iraq.

Expressing satisfaction with fall of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and formation of democratic government, he lauded significant role of Ulema in Iraqi developments and said the Iraqi new government should stabilize legal institutions to help restore law in the country and prepare ground for withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq and help reconstruct an independent Iraq.

The Iraqi people should remain in the scene to help Iraqi government take fundamental strides in meeting the country's needs, he said.

Priority should be given to restoration of security in the country and peoples problems should be resolved in the course of time, he said.

A powerful government would emerge through collective cooperation of political parties and religious leaders, he said adding that the enemies should not be given any chance to cause rift between Shia, Sunni and Kurds, he said.

Al Hakim, for his part, briefed the Iranian foreign minister about latest developments in Iraq and said it is the time to call upon Iraqis to help their country's development and independence.

The Iraqi nation never forget the significant efforts of Iranians and its leadership in particular during hard time, he pointed out.

Expansion of ties between the two countries would lead to restoration of stability and security in the region, he said and called for boost in economic, industrial, commercial, pilgrimage and tourism cooperation between the two nations.

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::IRNA No.060 18/05/2005 17:25 --End