(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has said America’s interfering and aggressive presence in the region is the source of Iraq’s troubles. Speaking at a meeting on Saturday afternoon with Iraqi president, Jalal Talebani, the Leader stressed that despite America’s arrogant presence in this region, current events in this region have shown that America’s policies are failing, and that regional countries should make use of this fact.
In further comments, Imam Khamenei said: “unity between different Iraqi groups and factions will certainly benefit Iraq as a whole, and the Americans who desperately want to extend their unwanted presence in Iraq are counting on disunity and discord between Iraqi factions to prolong their military presence in the country.”
He added: “All Iraqi groups and factions should be vigilant and alert and not allow the Americans to achieve their aims”.
Imam Khamenei went on to praise the steps taken by the Iraqi government to solve the country’s problems, adding: “The great Iraqi nation and the Iraqi government have managed to navigate through perilous waters and are currently getting through some tough times, but with patience, wisdom and courage they must solve the remaining problems in Iraq”.
Imam Khamenei went on to call for expansion and strengthening of ties between Iran and Iraq, and said those who want to weaken the bonds of friendship between Baghdad and Tehran will not succeed. He added: “Considering the deep-rooted religious and cultural links between the two nations, relations between Iran and Iraq will become stronger day by day.”
For his part, the Iraqi president, Jalal Talebani, referred to deep historical links between the Iranian and Iraqi nations, and emphasized that political, economic and cultural ties between Tehran and Baghdad is expanding and that Iraq hopes to rebuild its shattered infrastructure with Iran’s help and expertise.
President Talebani pointedly added: “Different Iraqi groups and factions all agree on the need for progress and advancement in Iraq, and all of them are opposed to extending America’s military presence in Iraq”.
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