By IRNA
Tehran : Iran supports an independent, secure, stable and progressing Iraq, said First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi on Thursday.
His remarks were made during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri la-Maliki.
The press conference was held at the end of a ceremony held to see off the Iraqi premier at the Presidential premises.
“Iraq’s security is the security of Iran and that of the region,” Davoudi said stressing, Tehran “condemns enemies’ plots to sow discord between the two neighboring states (Iran and Iraq) by creating sectarian disputes and fratricide.”
He added that restoration of peace and stability to Iraq was “firstly based on withdrawal of occupation forces from Iraq and their non-interference” in internal affairs of that country.
“And secondly, it depends on the authority of the popular government of Mr. al-Maliki,” Davoudi added.
Stressing that both Tehran and Baghdad “condemn all forms of terrorism,” the Iranian official said, “Iran has had a consistent cooperation with Iraq in the fields of security, political and economic affairs and will continue such cooperation.
“We wish more prosperity and security for the Iraqi people and will spare no efforts to help them to this end,” Davoudi said.