Iraq Capable Of Defending Itself Root Cause Of Terrorism In Iraq, Syria Similar

Tehran, June 25, IRNA -- Iraqi government and people have the capability of defending themselves and will not accept any assistance and support from outside the country. Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Mohammad Majid Al-Sheikh made the statement at a press conference organized by Iran Cultural-Press Institute. Al-Sheikh said participation of 62 percent of the Iraqi people in the countryˈs recent parliamentary election successfully held in April was a great shock to some governments and terrorists. He noted after the results of the election were announced on June 8, Takfiris and the remaining fragments of the Baath party attacked Mosul. ˈAt present, Iraqˈs condition is getting better. There are some countries which helped Iraq through this difficulty.ˈ Terrorists do not intend to remove the Iraqi government, he said, adding they have targeted the Iraqi people. He recalled that the Iraqi government and people complained about foreign interference in Syriaˈs domestic affairs and this made those states attack Iraq right after the elections were held. ˈIraq has signed a long-term strategic agreement with the US which stipulates that in case any country invades Iraq, Baghdad can turn to Washington for military assistance.ˈ Stressing that Iran has played an important role in supporting and assisting Iraq, he said Iranian embassy in Iraq made lots of phone calls informing the Iraqi government that Iranian people are ready to defend Iraqˈs holy sites. Al-Sheikh noted, ˈIraq does not challenge any country. It only fights against terrorism.ˈ Iraq, he said, is ready to cooperate with all countries. Blasting media and television channels for propagating lies and false news about the progress of the forces of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in Iraqi territory, he noted Iraq is driving out the terrorists and regaining its unity. Root cause of terrorism ******************** Speaking at the same press conference, Syrian Ambassador to Iran Adnan Mahmoud said ˈthe root causeˈ of terrorism in Iraq and Syria is similar and that certain Arab and Western states support terrorist groups in both Arab states. The envoy added there is need for ˈunity and cooperationˈ among regional states to fight terrorist groups including ISIL and the Al-Nusrah Front and safeguard security in the region. ˈWe should accept that the threat is not just the fighting in Syria or Iraq, but the entire region is at danger,ˈ he said. He also warned that the terrorist groups, supported by the US, are pursing a policy to ˈdisintegrateˈ Iraq and Syria. The envoy also questioned US double standards regarding the developments in Syria, saying Washington provides the terrorist groups with weapons, but does not respect the vote of the Syrians to reelect President Bashar al-Assad. Mahmoud also praised Iranˈs stance toward developments in Syria and Iraq, saying, ˈIran always stands behind Syria and Iraq against terrorists and rejects any meddling in their internal affairs.ˈ National reconciliation ******************** He also stressed ˈnational reconciliationˈ is the top priority of the Syrian government. Mahmoud said the Syrians want ˈreturn of security, peace and stabilityˈ to the country, fight the terrorists and reconstruct their homeland. He also criticized the Turkish government for supporting terrorist groups in Syria, saying, ˈThe administration of (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip) Erdogan is directly responsible for the massacre of Syrians.ˈ Syrian opposition groups have unveiled evidences showing the Turkish governmentˈs role in the Syrian crisis that killed thousands of people since 2011. Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. Over 160,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by the foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists. According to reports, Western powers and their regional allies—especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey—are supporting the Takfiris fighting the legitimate government of Assad./end