Iran parliament speaker stresses settlement of security issues in Iraq

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani underscored the need for prioritizing settlement of security issues and terrorism-related problems in Iraq.

"Certainly, in the current conditions, solving the security and terrorism problems in Iraq is important since the country is an important pivot in the region and certainly, resolving the Iraqi issue will lead to balance in the region," Larijani said in a meeting with former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Adil Abdulmahdi in Tehran on Wednesday.

Noting that fight against terrorism is important for the entire region, especially for Iraq, he said, "Campaign against terrorism has many deep aspects and complications and certainly defeating the terrorist groups, specially the Daesh, needs extensive regional efforts and cooperation."

Larijani also blasted certain regional Arab states for their performance in the region, and said, "Unfortunately, certain countries create hypothetical enemies for the region instead of (strengthening) synergy (among the regional countries)."

His remarks came as Iraqi Vice-President Nouri al-Maliki lauded Iran as the main supporter of the Iraqi nation and government in their ongoing fight against the ISIL terrorist group.

"Iran was the main country which helped Iraq stand up to the Daesh and other Takfiri terrorist groups." al-Maliki told reporters in Tehran last month.

EA