Leader’s aide:

Iran opposes plots to partition Iraq

Rasa - A senior Iranian official says any threat to Iraq's security and territorial integrity will affect the entire Middle East, stressing that the Islamic Republic opposes Iraq’s partition and any interference in its internal affairs.

News ID: 427158

Date: 06 February 2017 - 16:34

RNA - Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday after a meeting with Jan Kubis, the UN special representative for Iraq, Ali Akbar Velayati, the senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on international affairs, said the two sides discussed ways to reinforce Iraq’s territorial integrity and national solidarity.

He added that any measure to combat terrorism in Iraq must be carried out under the supervision of the United Nations.

The Iranian official emphasized that the Islamic Republic and the UN opposed meddling by any country in the internal affairs of Iraq or any other state without their request.

Velayati said the Islamic Republic supported the legitimate and popular government in Iraq and maintains cordial relations with the Arab country.

The Iranian official added that Tehran has so far thrown its weight behind the Iraqi and Syrian governments and would continue backing them.

Iran’s security hinges on the security of its neighboring states, he said, adding that the Islamic Republic cannot remain indifferent to any insecurity in its neighboring countries.

Velayati further noted that the US has always pursued hostile policies against the Iraqi people who “did not invite the Americans to come to their country.”

During the meeting with Velayati, the UN envoy said the Iraqi government and nation have made great efforts to fight terrorism.

He added that the Iraqi people would make further efforts to develop their country after the elimination of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group there.

The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by violence ever since Daesh terrorists began an offensive in Iraqi territory in June 2014.

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