Iran FM Hails Ex-Iraqi PM Counterterrorism Efforts
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday commended former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his campaign against terrorism, particularly during the last months of his tenure.
In a meeting with Maliki in Baghdad on Sunday, Zarif also praised the ex-prime minister for his attempts for maintaining stability in the Arab country.
The top Iranian diplomat acknowledged that Maliki has played a “leading role” in settling the tensions in Iraq.
Back on August 11, Iraqi President Fouad Massoum officially commissioned Haider al-Abadi, the Shiite coalition's nominee for prime minister, to form the next government.
Massoum refused to nominate the country's two-time Prime Minister Maliki for a third term in office.
During the last months of his post, Maliki had been grappling with a surge of violence, especially after the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists attacked the Arab country in early June.
Elsewhere in his comments, Zarif deplored terrorism as “a threat to the whole regional nations.”
“Countering the ominous phenomenon of terrorism requires cooperation by the entire countries and also help for the Iraqi government to settle the problem,” added Zarif.
Maliki for his part touched on the Islamic Republic's all-out support for the Arab country, saying the Iraqi government seeks stronger ties with its easetrn neighbor.
The top Iranian diplomat has begun an official visit to Baghdad in a bid to hold talks with high-ranking Iraqi officials on issues of mutual interest and regional developments.
