Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran for an official visit.The Iraqi premier, who is on his first visit to Iran since he took office on September 8, was welcomed by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at Mehrabad Airport.
The Iraqi prime minister is heading a high-level delegation and Iraq's Ministers of Oil, Electricity, Commerce, Water Resources as well as a member of parliament are accompanying al-Abadi in his visit to Tehran.
President Hassan Rouhani met visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tehran later on day.Iran’s president said aerial bombardment of the ISIL positions by a US-led coalition in Iraq and Syria will be beneficial to the terrorist group over a long-term period.
“By… highlighting the airstrikes by the major powers, the terrorists will recruit more immature young people and will continue to exist,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tehran on Tuesday.
President Hassan Rouhani met visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tehran
The Iranian president also called on countries who "claim" to be battling terrorism and those who have formed an anti-ISIL coalition to push for an end to the “financial support” for the terrorist groups as a first step.
Rouhani further reaffirmed Tehran’s unwavering support for neighboring Iraq in the fight against terrorism, saying Iran will spare no effort to help the Iraqi government in this regard.
Abadi, for his part, praised the Islamic Republic for its steadfastness in the battle against terrorism, and said, “The whole regional countries face the threat of terrorism, and we are confident that Iran will stand beside us until annihilation of the serious disease (terrorism).”
Iraq premier also met with first Vice-President Es-haq Jahangiri and a number of other senior officials on Tuesday.
Before his departure to Iran, Abadi said coordination on Iran’s support in the campaign against ISIL terrorists is one of the issues on the agenda of the talks.The Iraqi prime minister further hailed relations between Tehran and Baghdad, saying, “Iran is one of the powerful and advanced countries in the world.”
He added that he will also discuss closer cooperation with Iran in the areas of “energy, housing, and the reconstruction of Iraq.”
According to a statement released by Abadi’s office on Sunday, the trip is part of the Iraqi prime minister's bid to integrate regional efforts made to help Iraq in its war against the ISIL.
Earlier on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said that the Islamic Republic supports Iraq’s unity, integrity, security and all-out development and will cooperate with the country for the elimination of terrorism.
Iraqi armed forces are currently carrying out mop-up operations against the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in the northern parts of the Arab country.