Supreme Leader Meets with Nouri Maliki

Ayatollah Khamenei the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and his accompanying delegation. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described Iraq as the Islamic Republic's brother country.

Referring to the months-long delay in the formation of a unity government in Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei said: "Swift formation of a new government and full establishment of security are among the important needs of Iraq. This is because development and construction of Iraq and helping the Iraqi people reach the position they deserve are not possible unless these two needs are addressed."

His Eminence reiterated: "All Iraqi officials and politicians and those who care for Iraq should focus their efforts on the swift formation of a unity government."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the situation of Iraq has improved, further adding: "In spite of relative stability, there is still insecurity in Iraq, and part of this insecurity is caused by certain powers whose political interests lie in causing insecurity."

Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iraq is a rich country with a long historical background and stressed: "With such a historical background, the people of Iraq do not deserve to suffer from the current problems."

His Eminence said that the pains suffered by the Iraqi people depress the Islamic Republic and their success makes the Islamic Republic happy. He reiterated: "The Iraqi nation is a vigilant nation, and it is no longer possible for foreign invaders to dominate this country again."

At the end of his statements, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed hope that Allah the Exalted will soon force America out of Iraq and resolve the problems of the Iraqi people.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki expressed his gratitude to the Islamic Republic for supporting the people of Iraq in different stages and in difficult conditions. He added that Iran-Iraq relations enjoy strategic significance. "Iraq's relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are more important than Iraq's relations with other countries."

Stressing the need for further expansion of Iran-Iraq cooperation, Nouri Maliki said: "Today all our efforts are focused on swift formation of an Iraqi government so that we can start reconstructing the infrastructures."