President cites employment, water, environment as most critical issues for country

Tehran, Nov 14, IRNA - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi denounced the terrorist blast in Karbala today in which many people, including women and children, were killed and injured. Qasemi expressed his sympathy with the Iraqi government and people as well as families of the victims emphasizing that attacking pilgrims who were on the way to Karbala for Arbaeen ceremonies was a black mark on the Takfiri terrorists' records. He underscored Iran's support for Iraqi government and people in fighting terrorism. A senior official in charge of Arbaeen ritual affairs stressed on Monday that no Iranian pilgrims were harmed by the attack in Karbala on Monday. He said the blast did not happen along the route the Iranian pilgrims are travelling inside Iraq. 1378/IRNA