Iran urges world states to support Iraq
Iraq-Iran, Politics, 5/1/2007

Iran's Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani said today that the world and regional countries have no option but to support the Iraqi government.

The statement was part of a short interview with reporters in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala.

While visiting holy shrines of Imam Hossein (AS) and Hazrat Abolfazl (AS) on the last day of his three-day tour of Iraq, Larijani told reporters, "The countries willing to promote stability and security in Iraq should support its government." The SNSC secretary added that at his meetings with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki and a number of other officials, he urged that during the upcoming international Sharm el-Sheikh conference in Egypt, Iran will support the Iraqi government.

Sharm el-Sheikh conference will be held in Egypt from May 3-4.

The United Nations as well as members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Arab League have also been invited to attend the event as international and regional bodies.

Larijani hoped that the participants will reach an agreement on helping Iraq establish stability and security in the country to materialize the expectations of the Iraqi people from the upcoming meeting.

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi yesterday thanked Iran for deciding to participate in Sharm el-Sheikh conference. In a meeting with Larijani, Hashemi hoped that the conference of Iraq's neighboring states would open a horizon for removal of problems facing Iraq.

He voiced concern about debates and timetables set in connection with Iran's nuclear issue and said, "I hope all issues related to the case would eventually end in Iran's favor." Larijani, on his part, hoped for further expansion of Tehran-Baghdad relations.

Larijani said that no miracle is expected from the international Sharm el-Sheikh conference. He added that if the upcoming event aims to support the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki and contribute to the country's stability and security, Iran will stand up for it.
"The objective of my visit to Iraq is to exchange views with Iraqi officials about bolstering of ties in all fields," said the official.

US Department Of State Spokesman Sean McCormack said today that "It's a conference about Iraq and we would hope that the Iranians use the opportunity to match their actions with their words when they talk about the importance of good, neighborly, transparent relations and their interest in a stable, prosperous, democratic Iraq for all Iraqis, so -- you know, I don't ascribe any particular significance to those words."

Previous Stories:
  Two car bombs near Iran embassy in Iraq kill one person   (4/23/2007)
  Larijani: US accusations against Iran described as a 'joke'   (4/23/2007)
  Blast in Iraq's parliament condemned by Iran   (4/16/2007)

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