Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met Wednesday afternoon with Fuad Masum, President of Iraq, and his accompanying delegation. President Rouhani was also present in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described Iraq as a very important and influential country among Arab and Islamic countries. Referring to the regrettable conditions in some regional countries such as Yemen and Syria, he reiterated: "Considering its position, Iraq can definitely influence regional issues and this capacity should be utilized more than before."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that the establishment of a popular and stable government in Iraq is one of the unique advantages that this country enjoys over Arab countries. He stressed: "Iraqi officials and different groups in this country should rigorously protect this advantage and they should not allow some possible differences to undermine the historical achievements of the people of Iraq."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the influence of the government of Iraq in the Arab world, adding: "Today, the region and the world of Islam are witness to regrettable and truly tragic events such the issue of Palestine, the events of North Africa and the wars in Syria and Yemen. Therefore, Iraq can definitely exert its influence on these events."
His Eminence described the plan of the enemies of Islam for Syria as very dangerous, reiterating: "They are after creating instability and insecurity in Syria so that they can create an unstable situation for the whole region."
He added that the plot hatched against Syria by some Arab countries is very destructive, stressing: "But their plot will destroy not only Syria, but also their own countries."
For the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, preserving the stability of Syria is the most important goal. Referring to the statements of Fuad Masum about the terrorist actions of DAESH in Syria and their influence on Iraq and the region, he said: "The presence of numerous takfiri-terrorist groups in Syria with different excuses is in fact, to the advantage of the Zionist regime and those people who are after creating an unstable situation for the region with the purpose of imposing their will."
The actions of the Saudis in Yemen was another matter that Ayatollah Khamenei touched on: "The Saudis have made a great mistake in Yemen. Without a doubt, the crime that they have committed will be a matter whose effects will catch up with them as well."
His Eminence stressed that the massacre of the innocent people of Yemen should be stopped as soon as possible. He added: "The events of Yemen show that an irrational and ignorant group-think within the Saudis is in charge of decision-making about the issues of Yemen."
He described the logic of the Saudis in invading Yemen as inane, saying: "They attacked Yemen with the excuse that the resigned and fugitive president of Yemen - who betrayed his country in the most sensitive conditions - had asked them to do so."
Fuad Masum also expressed joy at meeting the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and said: "We believe that as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and as a great religious marja, you can help Iraq and Iran to strengthen their relations more than before. You can also help Iraq to solve its problems."
The President of Iraq stressed that the government and people of Iraq will never forget the support that the Islamic Republic of Iran offered to this country during the time of DAESH's attack and in other difficult times, further saying: "DAESH in Iraq and DAESH in Syria are not different from each other because the threat of DAESH exists for the entire region."