Maliki Appreciates Iran’s “Spiritual Support” for Iraq


Maliki Appreciates Iran’s “Spiritual Support” for Iraq

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki expressed his deep gratitude for the spiritual supports Iran has provided for the Iraqi nation and government.

In his Friday meeting with the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) in Baghdad, Maliki hailed the recent victories by the Iraqi army in fighting against the terrorist and extremist groups.

The Premier also pointed to the election of moderate Sunni politician Salim al-Jabouri as the new parliament speaker in Iraq, calling it a “major and crucial step” towards political progress in the Arab country.

Maliki also emphasized that the commonalities between Iran and Iraq could help establish peace, security, and stability in his country.

Prior to meeting Maliki in Baghdad, Iran’s Secretary of SNSC Ali Shamkhani had met with the senior Iraqi Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the city of Najaf.

In his meeting with Ayatollah Sistani, Shamkhani had referred to the recent election of Iraq’s parliament speaker as "a significant step," and hailed the political consensus for the formation of legal structures in Iraq.

Shamkhani had also praised the Grand Ayatollah for his key role in mobilizing Iraqi nation against terrorism.

In June, Ayatollah Sistani issued a religious decree (fatwa) which called on all Iraqis to take up arms against the terrorists of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Following the Fatwa, over 1.5 million Iraqis from all walks of life volunteered to join battles against the extremist militants.

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