Iranian and UAE officials hold talks on Iraq crisis

TEHRAN,July 9(MNA) - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that it is essential to counter terrorism and extremism in the region. He made the remarks during a meeting with Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs and minister of state for federal national council affairs, in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Amir-Abdollahian said the hallmarks of the recent terrorist attacks in Iraq indicate that foreign elements are involved. He warned that such types of terrorist attacks may turn into a global issue if countries keep silent on it. Elaborating Iran’s policy on Iraq, Amir-Abdollahian underlined the need to help protect Iraq’s territorial integrity, respect its national sovereignty and constitution and also the results of its parliamentary elections. Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq on April 30, 2014 and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s electoral bloc won the most seats. Sectarianism is detrimental For his part, Gargash said the spread of extremism, violence and sectarianism is detrimental to all regional countries’ security. He also said holding consultations among Iran and the regional countries are very important to counter threats by terrorists. The UAE official also insisted on the need to foster national unity in Iraq and protect the country’s territorial integrity. On Thursday, Massoud Barzani, the president of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government, called for a referendum on separation of the region from Iraq. Gargash went on to say that a government should be formed in Iraq as soon as possible to speed up efforts to resolve the current crisis. Iraqi government forces are fighting with ISIL militants who have captured several areas in northern and western Iraq in an all-out offensive which began over three weeks ago. Iraqi forces have been able to retake some areas through carrying out special operations over the past few days. Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian expressed Iran’s support for Iraq in its war against terrorism. He also said Iran is working hard to maintain the Iraqi territorial integrity and help foster national unity in the country. Amir-Abdollahian embarked on a tour of a number of Persian Gulf Arab states on Monday. He arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday. He was scheduled to meet with Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday. Amir-Abdollahian also plans to meet with Omani officials in Muscat on Wednesday to discuss the latest regional developments specifically in Iraq and Syria.