Karbala Friday Prayer Leader:

No tolerance towards any side that violates Iraq's sovereignty

Rasa – The representative of Ayatollah al-Sistani has called on the Iraqi government to show “no tolerance” towards any side that violates the country’s sovereignty.

News ID: 3666

Date: 11 December 2015 - 21:08

RNA – During his Friday prayer sermon delivered to a large and fervent crowd of believers in the Iraqi city of Karbala, Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Ahmad al-Safi condemned the Turkish military presence in Iraq and called on Iraqi government to show “no tolerance” towards any side that violates the country’s sovereignty.

The representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani said neighbouring states must not send troops to Iraq without the consent of the Iraqi government.

He said international laws and agreements determine relations between countries, respect for sovereignty and non-aggression against one other and such laws are the clearest agreements.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Safi added that no country has the right to use the excuse that they are helping in the fight against terrorism to send troops to another country without mutual approval.

He didn’t name any country but it was apparently referring to Turkey which deployed a heavily-armed contingent of troops to northern Iraq last week.

His Eminence urged Iraq’s neighbours and all countries of the world to respect the sovereignty of the country and not to send troops without coordination with the Iraqi government and agreement with the country’s local laws.

The Iraqi scholar added that the Iraqi government is responsible for protecting its own sovereignty and must not tolerate any side that infringes upon it, whatever the justifications and necessities, adding that ignoring foreign military presence and interference in Iraqi affairs has caused many problems for the country.

Hujjat al-Safi called for unity in Iraq despite the tough situation facing the country, saying that politicians must unite with each other in order to combat the country’s problems and preserve its interests, independence and sovereignty.

He stressed that Iraq seeks to improve its relations with its neighbouring countries and in this regard, called on them to respect Iraq’s independence.

His Eminence stated that the Middle East in drowning in various problems, adding that the Takfiri terrorist phenomenon doesn’t show mercy to any country in the region, therefore all countries must unite against their common enemy and not take any reckless actions.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Safi also stated that Iraqi fighters, including the Popular Mobilization Forces, military and tribal fighters, have liberated many occupied territories from Daesh Takfiri terrorists due to their strong courage.

He also added that due to the approaching winter, the impoverished and war-torn country’s displaced people are facing various problems and called on institutions and organizations to give greater attention and make efforts to address the problems of the refugees, of which many are children and elderly.

In conclusion, he invited those young people who have the ability to carry weapons to the battlefield and defend their nation and their land.

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