Iraqi PM: Military Intervention In Syria Serious Threat For Region

Baghdad, Sept 9, IRNA -- Iraqs Foreign Minister Nuri al-Maliki calling the regions status quo and particularly the ongoing developments in Syria as tense said here Sunday night that military intervention in that Arab country would be a serious threat for region. The Iraqi prime minister made the comment in a meeting with the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, asking the Islamic Republic of Iran for continuation of its diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis through holding dialogues and diplomatic moves. Prime Minister Maliki in the meeting sent best regards to the new Iranian President for accepting new responsibility, and considered Zarif’s choice of Iraq for his first foreign visits as a sign of the Islamic Republic’s concentration over the relations between the two neighboring countries old ties. He announced the Iraqi governments serious interest in comprehensive cooperation with Iran, considering improvement of bilateral relations in line with securing mutual interests. Mohammad Javad Zarif, too, in this first foreign visit of his as the foreign minister of the 11th IRI government, conveyed the warm regard of President Hassan Rohani and his fist vice president to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and appreciated for his congratulation phone calls. ** Iraq’s security and development are Iran’s security, development Zarif said that Iran-Iraq relations are based on deep and historical relations between the two nations and the peaceful coexistence of the two countries for centuries, reiterating, “We consider the security and development of Iraq as the security and development of our own country.” He added, “The Islamic Republic of Iran asks for establishment of security and elevation of comprehensive bilateral ties to the highest possible level, particularly in political, economic and cultural fields.” Zarif referred to the shared concerns of Iran and Iraq, particularly regarding the regional developments and Syria, considering cooperation between the two counties beneficial for the regional peace and security. He appreciated the Iraqi government’s wisdom and sagaciousness in tackling the country’s internal affairs and over the significant regional developments, reiterating, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has felt the threat of using chemical weapons with its entire existence during the (Iraqi) imposed war.” The Iranian foreign minister added, “That is while those who are today making a hue and cry and are after new adventurism at that time and in reaction to the very vast use of chemical weapons by Saddam remained quite silent.” Zarif condemned the use of chemical weapons by any side and anywhere, saying that the Iranian and the Iraqi nations are both victims of those weapons, adding, “While condemning the use of chemical weapons, we also reject the need for resorting to military intervention under any pretext and believe the way to resolve the regional crises is holding dialogues among the entire sides of them./end