Shahroudi urges release of Iranian diplomats in Iraq

Iran's Judiciary chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi said yesterday that the US should immediately release the kidnapped Iranian consular officials in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil without any pretext.

Shahroudi made the emphasis in a meeting with the head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.

He urged all Iraqi political groups, officials and nation to make efforts to establish security in Iraq, saying, "Security of Iraq and its future should be delegated to its people.

"There is no need for presence of foreign forces in Iraq. The Iraqi people should prepare the ground for withdrawal of foreigners from their country by strengthening their solidarity and unity and cooperating in establishment of security." Pointing to growing military presence in Iraq, Shahroudi added, "Under the current circumstances, the US intends to disturb the future situation in Iraq by increasing its troops and take control of its affairs."

He said the Baathist remnants of the former Iraqi regime and terrorist groups including al Qaida intend to cause insecurity and discord in Iraq. "Strengthening of these moves will be in favor of long-term presence of foreign forces in the country." He praised remarks recently made by Egyptian ulema in support of unity between Shiites and Sunnis, saying, "Enemies of Islam should not be permitted to develop religious differences in Islamic states." US forces broke into Iran's consulate in Erbil on January 11 after disarming its guards and using force to break open the gate of the consulate building.

They ransacked the place, arrested six consular staff (one of whom has since been released). They also seized the consulate's computers and documents.