Iran's President Says Foreign Forces Should Leave Iraq
By VOA News
03 March 2008
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says U.S.-led foreign forces should leave Iraq, accusing the U.S. of bringing terrorism and destruction to the region.
Mr. Ahmadinejad said at a news conference in Baghdad Monday that until six years ago there was no terrorism in Iraq. He said that western powers should hand over affairs to the people and governments of the region.
Late Sunday, Mr. Ahmadinejad visited the Shiite Muslim shrine of Imam Mousa al-Kadhim in the northern Kadhimiya district of Baghdad.
The Iranian president met with his Iraqi counterpart, Jalal Talabani, earlier Sunday. The two leaders declared a new chapter in neighborly relations.
Mr. Talabani said he discussed cooperation in economic, security and oil matters with his Iranian counterpart. Iran and Iraq were expected to sign at least seven agreements in areas such as industry, trade and transport during Mr. Ahmadinejad's visit.
Mr. Ahmadinejad described Sunday's meeting as very positive. He said a developed, powerful and united Iraq will benefit the region.
Mr. Ahmadinejad also met Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Mr. Maliki said the Iranian leader's visit is a positive example that the leaders of other neighboring countries should follow.
Prime Minister Maliki also told the Iranian president that Iraq will try to expel all terrorist groups operating in the country.
Mr. Maliki says these groups include al-Qaida, the Iranian rebel group People's Mojahedin (Mojahedin-e Khalq), and Kurdish rebels who cross the border to stage attacks inside Turkey.
Mr. Ahmadinejad rejected U.S. accusations that Iran arms and trains Shi'ite terrorists who kill Iraqi and U.S. citizens.
The Iranian president blamed the U.S.-led military invasion of Iraq for the rise of terrorism in the region.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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