In a meeting with Massoud Barzani the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the unified resistance of different ethnic and religious groups of Iraq against US pressure, their opposition to judicial immunity of the occupation forces and their success in forcing America out of Iraq are a golden page in the history of Iraq.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the independence and stability of Iraq and stressed: "In spite of the military and political presence of America in Iraq, all Iraqi people - including Kurds and Arabs, Shia and Sunni - said ‘no' to America and this is a very important point."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq and reiterated: "The current stability of Iraq is a source of delight for the Islamic Republic of Iran and all religious and ethnic groups of Iraq should join hands and make efforts to build a new Iraq."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that all ethnic and religious groups of Iraq are brothers of Iran and added that they share historical roots with the Iranian people. He referred to the good relations between Iran and Iraq and stressed the need to expand these relations. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will support the unified and stable Iraq and it is necessary to reconstruct Iraq as soon as possible so that the unified Iraq can achieve the position it deserves."
Speaking at the meeting, Massoud Barzani also described Iran as a close friend of the Iraqi people and said: "We will never forget the kindness and support of the Iranian people and government during hard times."
He stressed: "All religious and ethnic groups of Iraq should try to safeguard this victory. And definitely we will always need the help and advice of Iran."