Iraqi Gov't Powerful Enough To Defeat Terrorists: Velayati

Beijing, June 17, IRNA – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki is powerful enough to defeat Daesh terror group, President of Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati said on Tuesday. He made the remarks in a meeting with the Chinese journalists at the Iranian Embassy in Beijing. After the victory of al-Maleki in the democratic election, the terror group known as Daesh entered Iraq from Syria to make a type of psychological war against the Iraqi government, Velayati added. Velayati said that Iran and China have similar stance against the spread of extremism and terrorism in the region. Answering a question about the nuclear talks between Iran and G5+1 underway in Vienna, he noted that Iran would continue with peaceful nuclear activities under supervision of the IAEA to provide its power plants with the required fuel. Iran seeks strategic relations with China, Velayati who is also a top advisor to Iranˈs Supreme Leader asserted. He called for revival of Silk Road as an important step towards enhanced ties between Tehran and Beijing. Velayati is currently on a visit to China. He conferred with Chinese high ranking officials./end