BAGHDAD (Dispatches) -- Iran’s Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi has conveyed Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s support for the Arab country’s security and stability.
Alavi met Iraqi President Barham Saleh at Al-Salam Palace here, where he underlined “the importance of strong relations between the countries and their peoples.”
He also relayed Ayatollah Khamenei’s supportive stance in favor of “reinforcement of the bilateral cooperation and coordination towards confronting terrorism, extremism, and establishment of peace in the region.”
Alavi also communicated the Leader’s condolences over the recent tragedy that afflicted a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah in which a raging blaze killed scores of people.
The two sides discussed further enhancement of relations between the neighboring, and the importance that betterment of the ties bore for the friendly nations, exchanging views on the manner of expansion of the relations in all areas in the service of the countries’ common interests.
Addressing Alavi, Saleh laid emphasis on the depth of the two sides’ historical ties, and likewise underlined “the need for the development of the outlook of bilateral cooperation between the countries in all fields.”
He also noted that “a strong, safe, stable, and sovereign Iraq that enjoys balanced relations with the surrounding Arab and Muslim countries, [in turn] serves as a stabilizing element and the confluence of the regional countries’ common interests and reinforces the regional peace and security.”
He expressed gratitude towards the Islamic Republic for its supportive positions regarding his country, and thanked Tehran for the backing that it has been providing for Baghdad, especially in the area of fighting terrorism and confronting Daesh.
In 2014, Iran became the first country to rush to Iraq’s assistance in the face of Daesh after the group launched its campaign of bloodshed and destruction against the Arab nation.
The support in the form of military advisory assistance for the Iraqi defense forces helped Baghdad defeat Daesh in late 2017.
Alavi also reaffirmed Iran’s full support for Iraq on all fronts, particularly the neighboring country’s security and stability.
In his meeting with Iraqi Parliament speaker Muhammad al-Halbusi, the Iranian minister expressed his condolences over the deadly fire incident that tore through a coronavirus hospital in southern Iraq early this week.
Halbusi, for his part, said it is imperative to help Iraq promote security and stability in the war-ravaged country.
He added that a stable Iraq would have positive impacts on the entire region’s stability.
During the meeting, Alavi and Halbusi discussed possible ways to further strengthen cooperation.
Alavi also sat down with Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji for talks on the latest security and political developments in the Arab country.
They stressed the importance of broadening bilateral cooperation to advance the interests of the two friendly nations.