Zarif Highlights Outcomes of Iranian President’s Iraq Visit

TEHRAN (defapress) – The foreign minister of Iran posted a message on the achievements of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Iraq, including his meeting with senior Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

News ID: 76172

Date: 14 March 2019 - 10:25

In a post on his Twitter account on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif pointed to Rouhani’s agenda on the second and third days of his landmark visit to Iraq, saying, “(I) Met with religious, academic and tribal leaders in Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf; along with President Hassan Rouhani.”

“In Najaf, visited and conferred with four prominent religious authorities, including Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani,” Zarif noted.

A statement released by the Najaf-based office of Ayatollah Sistani said the Iranian president has briefed the popular Shiite cleric on the outcomes of his visit to Iraq and the agreements that Tehran and Baghdad have signed in the trip.

The statement said Ayatollah Sistani has welcomed any initiative for Iraq’s strong relations with its neighbors on the basis of respect for the sovereignty of others and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other.

The grand Ayatollah has also praised Iran’s help for Iraq in the fight against terrorism, it added.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Rouhani arrived in Baghdad on Monday at the official invitation of the Iraqi government. It was the Iranian president’s first official visit to Iraq during his tenure.

Rouhani held meetings with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousi, and many other prominent figures.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, Tehran and Baghdad reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral relations in all fields of mutual interest.

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