Vice-President of the Iraqi Parliament:

The presence of Qasem Soleymani in Iraq represents the affection of Iran for Iraq

Rasa – Hujjat al-Islam Hamoudi said the experience and presence of individuals like Iran’s Major-General Qasem Soleymani in Iraq represents the love of the Iranian nation for the Iraqi people and their readiness to work with Iraq.

News ID: 435321

Date: 15 December 2017 - 15:31

RNA – In an interview with Iran’s Arabic-language al-Wefaq newspaper, Hujjat al-Islam Humam Hamoudi, the chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq and the vice-president of the Iraqi parliament, praised the role of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces in the war against terrorism and the destruction of Daesh in Iraq and said, “The experience and presence of individuals like Iran’s Major-General Qasem Soleymani in Iraq, alongside the warriors and the Iraqi army, represents the love of the Iranian nation for the Iraqi people and their readiness to work with us.”

The senior Iraqi politician emphasized that the Popular Mobilization Forces will play a role in the realization of social security and the reconstruction of the country, just as they played a role in the fall of Daesh’s self-declared caliphate and the liberation of Iraq.

Referring to Iran’s cooperation with Iraq in advancing the political process in Iraq and the fight against terrorism, he said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has supported the democratic constitution of Iraq since day one. Iran has given us good support in solving many of our problems, including electricity and gas, and other reconstruction issues.”

Hujjat al-Islam Hamoudi added, “Just as Iran strongly supported us in the fight against Daesh, it will play an important role in the reconstruction of Iraq, especially as Iran has gained good experience in this regard after the war, and we need these experiences.”

Speaking about relations with the rest of the region, the Shi’ah cleric said, “Due to the diversity it possesses, Iraq will welcome the establishment of relations with all countries, given its historical status in the region.”

He explained, “We will have relations with all countries in accordance with the law, especially the neighbouring countries, but these relations must be based on mutual respect and non-interference in the affairs of other countries.”

Hujjat al-Islam Hamoudi added, “We witnessed a great deal of interaction with neighbouring countries, except Saudi Arabia, and unfortunately, this country recently insulted Iraq’s experiences and stepped up its attempts weakening to weaken the country.”

The chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq said, “Saudi Arabia has implemented various methods against Iraq, from the establishment of ethnic wars to the destruction of the form and supporting the division of country, but has been defeated in all of these cases.”

Referring to the recent visit to Saudi Arabia by an Iraqi delegation, he said, “When this delegation was criticized over Iraq’s good ties with Iran, our response was clear – we said that this is a related matter for us and our relationship with Iran is due to historical relations.”

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