Iran’s Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alawi met with Iraq President Barham Saleh to convey Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s support for the Arab country’s security and stability.
In the Wednesday meeting at the Iraqi capital Baghdad’s al-Salam Palace, the intelligence minister underlined “the importance of strong relations between the countries and their peoples.”
He also relayed Imam Khamenei’s supportive stance in favor of “reinforcement of the bilateral cooperation and coordination towards confronting terrorism, extremism, and establishment of peace in the region.”
Alawi also communicated the Leader’s condolences over the recent tragedy that afflicted a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah in which a raging blaze killed scores of people.
The two sides discussed further enhancement of relations between the neighboring, and the importance that betterment of the ties bore for the friendly nations, exchanging views on the manner of expansion of the relations in all areas in the service of the countries’ common interests, Tasnim news agency reported.
Addressing Alawi, Saleh laid emphasis on the depth of the two sides’ historical ties, and likewise underlined “the need for the development of the outlook of bilateral cooperation between the countries in all fields.”
He also noted that “a strong, safe, stable, and sovereign Iraq that enjoys balanced relations with the surrounding Arab and Muslim countries, (in turn) serves as a stabilizing element and the confluence of the regional countries’ common interests and reinforces the regional peace and security.”
Meeting with Iraqi Speaker
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Alawi met and held talks with the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousi.
Alawi expressed his condolences to al-Halbousi and the Iraqi people over the fire at Imam Nasiriyah hospital.
The Iranian minister stressed Tehran’s support for Baghdad in all fields and the continuation of cooperation between the two countries.
Bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation between Iran and Iraq in the interests of the people of the two countries and a number of other issues of common interest were among the issues discussed in the meeting, Merh news agency reported.
Al-Halbousi also stressed the importance of supporting Iraq in order to maintain its security and stability, which plays a significant role in stabilizing the region.
Source: Iranian media
