The visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei in the city of Mashhad on Monday, July 18.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader expressed pleasure over the establishment of a popular government in Iraq and described the Iraqi prime minister as a pious, faithful and intellectual personality. He stressed that an independent and integrated Iraq benefiting from security and welfare is the Islamic Republic's basic priority.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Iraqi nation as the real friend and associate of the Iranian nation. He pointed out that the Iraqi people abhorred the actions taken by the Ba'thist regime in the course of the Iraqi impose war.
"The downfall of Saddam was a cause of happiness for the Iraqi nation, and it was also a source of pleasure for the Iranian people," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the fact that Iraq has certain enemies who are opposed to its security and progress.
"Some hands are at work to prevent the establishment of stability in Iraq by giving rise to bitter incidents and blind assassinations, and most probably the Zionists are involved in masterminding these incidents. Still, the Iraqi nation and government are able to build their country in the best possible manner by using their abundant natural and human resources and through firm resolve and determination," the Leader told the Iraqi prime minister.
Ayatollah Khamenei considered the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq a source of trouble and affliction for the Iraqi people and also for the entire region. He emphasized that the new Iraq has many supporters in the Islamic world, and that Muslim nations as well as many Islamic governments are displeased at U.S. actions in Iraq.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader referred to the new constitution of Iraq as the most important issue deserving the utmost care and attention of the Iraqi nation's representatives in the National Assembly.
"The Iraqi people have shown that they want a constitution pivoting on Islam. Thus, it is hoped that the Iraqi people's representatives in the National Assembly will prepare the ground for the revival of Iraq's high status in the Islamic world by drawing up this kind of constitution," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei also stressed the need for vigilance and circumspection on the part of the Iraqi people and government in the face of the plots that are aimed at fomenting discord and division between Shia and Sunni Muslims.
"The Iraqi people, including both Shia and Sunni Muslims, should try to promote harmony and concord and cooperate in building their country. Through unity and cooperation, the Iraqi people will be able to foil the attempts currently being made by the arrogant and expansionist powers to foment schism and conflict in their country," Ayatollah Khamenei stated.
In conclusion, the Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized the need for the new Iraqi government to pay attention to the issue of Palestine.
"Despite all U.S. attempts, the issue of Palestine will continue to be the pivotal issue of the Islamic world. It is deemed advisable for the Iraqi government to support the oppressed Palestinian nation and its ideals and, by doing so, display its distinction and dignity in the Islamic world," the Leader remarked.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, for his part, expressed great pleasure over his visit to the Islamic Republic and his meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Referring to the founder of the Islamic Republic the late Imam Khomeini as the secret of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Al-Ja'fari said that he hoped his visit to Iran would help to remove the dark page created by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in the relations between the two countries and open a new chapter in the history of bilateral ties between the two friendly nations of Iran and Iraq.
The Iraqi prime minister further expressed his gratitude for the help and support extended by the Islamic Republic to the Iraqi nation during its crises and predicaments. He said that the top priority of the new Iraqi government is to reconstruct the country's infrastructure, solve economic problems and serve the Iraqi people in the best possible manner.
Al-Ja'fari told the Leader that his delegation comprising many Cabinet members has held useful negotiations with the Iranian officials, and he expressed hopes that the cooperation between the two countries would soon expand in various spheres.
Further in his remarks, the Iraqi prime minister elaborated on the recent general election in his country which resulted in the establishment of a new government in Iraq, describing the process as quite favorable. He also expressed hopes that the drawing up of Iraq's new constitution would proceed in an appropriate manner.
As regards the recent wave of bombings and assassinations in Iraq, Al-Ja'fari emphasized that foreign agents are behind the security problems currently facing Iraq, including assassinations and bombings. But he said that despite all such plots, the establishment of security in Iraq has a positive trend, and that many effective measures are being taken to counter the sources of insecurity in that country.