The visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his accompanying delegation met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei in the Iranian holy city of Mashhad on Thursday, August 9.
Speaking at the meeting, which was also attended by the Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, the Leader stated that the most serious problem presently facing Iraq is the presence of the occupiers in that country. He also added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the idea of an independent Iraq with a popular government.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the government that is presently in office in Iraq as a popular government and extends full support to it," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed pleasure over the firm will and determination on the part of the Iraqi prime minister and other officials of the Iraqi government to solve the existing problems and counter the threats. He referred to the unity and cooperation among all Iraqi tribes and factions as the main prerequisite for solving the problems that are currently facing that country.
"The unity between the Sunni and the Shia and between the Arabs and the Kurds and other Iraqi tribes is a religious duty and something essential, and all Iraqi tribes are expected to strengthen their unity and cooperate in bolstering up the government of Mr. Nouri al-Maliki," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized that the biggest calamity and misfortune currently besetting Iraq is the presence of the American and British troops in that country.
"The occupiers are claiming that if they pull out of Iraq, that country will be destroyed. However, the fact of the matter is that the occupiers' pullout will cause the Iraqi officials to step up their efforts in order to solve their country's problems," the Leader remarked.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the occupiers are either directly behind the present problems and calamities besetting Iraq or are escalating them through the neglect of their duties. He added that the United States through its embassy in Baghdad and its espionage services and the Zionists are militarily and politically interfering in Iraq and undermining that country's security.
The Leader further hinted at the U.S. attempts at bringing a puppet government to power in Iraq.
"The U.S. policies on Iraq will definitely suffer defeat, and those who will ultimately achieve victory in this arena are the Iraqi people and the faithful and patriotic individuals who are concerned with the issues of Iraq," the Leader told the Iraqi prime minister.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the significant role that is being played by the senior ulama as one of the major and prominent features of Iraq.
"Today, the senior ulama in Najaf, especially Ayatollah Sistani, are alert and vigilant, and their positions and stances have been quite beneficial to the Iraqi nation and the future of that country," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further described the future of Iraq as bright and promising.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is very optimistic about the future of Iraq, and the enemies of the Iraqi nation are going to suffer more defeats compared with the past," the Leader noted.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, for his part, expressed great pleasure about his meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic, describing the meeting as historic and of great significance to him and his accompanying delegation. He also voiced his gratitude for the stances and support of the Iranian nation and government.
The Iraqi prime minister further referred to the problems that are currently facing the Iraqi people. He said that despite all those problems, the Iraqi government officials are determined to perform their duties and solve those problems.
Prime Minister Al-Maliki also pointed out that the Iraqi government invites and welcomes the cooperation of all Iraqi tribes and factions.
"The independence and dignity of Iraq should be restored, and the Iraqi government is making every effort to achieve this objective and pave the way for the Iraqi people to benefit from the material and spiritual assets of their country," the Iraqi prime minister told the Leader.