Visiting chairman of the Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Sayyid Abdul Aziz al-Hakim met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, February 5.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader described the relations between the two nations of Iran and Iraq as very strong. He pointed out that the bilateral relations between the two nations have emanated from their long-standing religious and cultural and historical ties as well as the long border between the two countries.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been desirous of the territorial integrity, security, progress, development and prosperity of Iraq. He also referred to the attempts made by the United States to mar the deep-rooted relations between the two nations of Iran and Iraq.
"Supporting the Iraqi government is the Islamic Republic of Iran's policy, and all the Iraqi people, whether they are Shia or Sunni or Kurds or Turkomans or Arabs, should try to preserve their vigilance and unity and solidarity more than before," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
He further stated, "If the Iraqi nation and government augment their solidarity and cooperation, the occupiers will no longer have any pretext for their continued presence in Iraq, and they will be forced to leave this country."
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic expressed sorrow over the massacre of the innocent people, including both Shia and Sunni Muslims, in Iraq. Stressing the need for all Iraqi groups and factions to support the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki's government in order to counter insecurity, he added that the continued presence of the occupiers in Iraq is one of the major factors contributing to insecurity in that country.
Ayatollah Khamenei also praised the role of the senior ulema in Iraq and referred to the forthcoming anniversary of the tragic incident of the desecration of the holy shrine of Imam Ali-ibn-Muhammad al-Hadi and Imam Hassan-ibn-Ali al-Askari (greetings be upon them) in the Iraqi city of Samarra. He stated that the incident should not fall into oblivion.
"The main culprit in this bitter incident was the United States, since the terrorists committed this heinous act before the eyes of the U.S. troops," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
The SCIRI chairman Sayyid Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the assistance extended by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Iraqi nation and government and for the constructive role played by Iran. He also presented a report about the latest situation and the most recent developments in Iraq.
Referring to the fact that the Iraqi government relies on the Iraqi people's vigilance and presence on the scene, Al-Hakim further hinted at the measures taken by the Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki's government to counter insecurity. He said that the Iraqi government is formulating a plan to undertake the security-related responsibilities and restore stability to the country.
The SCIRI chairman further noted that the Iraqi government is also trying to increase its services to the public so that the problems facing the Iraqi people in their everyday lives may gradually be resolved.