Official Stresses Iraqi Sairoon Bloc’s Good Ties with Iran

Secretary general of Sairoon alliance, which came out on top in Iraq’s recent parliamentary election, denied any problem with Iran, saying his coalition has good relations with all of the Arab country’s neighbors.

News ID: 70314

Date: 23 May 2018 - 13:37

TEHRAN (Defapress) – Hassan al-Aqouli dismissed any problem with Iran, saying, “We believe in dialogue and good neighborliness with all countries, including Iraq’s neighbors, and enjoy good relations with all of those countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“Iran is a neighboring state and we seek balanced relations (with it) that would serve the interests of both sides,” he said.

Aqouli also pointed to his coalition’s negotiations with other Iraqi political parties to form the next government, saying the way is open for anyone to join the alliance.

Those coming up with plans for a “strong and genuine government” will be closer to the Sairoon alliance, he added, stressing that political groups without any certain plan would be excluded from the process of forming government.

Sairoon insists on a “definite and implementable” plan for government formation, regardless of who will become the next prime minister, Aqouli underlined.

Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon coalition took 54 out of 328 seats in the May 12 parliamentary election in Iraq.

With no bloc winning the 165 seats required for an outright majority, negotiations to form a coalition government in Iraq are expected to drag on for weeks.

Messsage edn/