Iranian Official Extols National Unity in Iraq
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Director of the Strategic Research Center of Iran's Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati on Tuesday hailed the Iraqi outgoing prime minister’s decision to resign in favor of his successor, saying that the move signifies the country’s national unity.
“We are very pleased that there is such an integration in Iraq, which is contrary to the will of the country’s enemies who were aiming to create chaos in the country,” Velayati told the Tasnim News Agency.
Nouri al-Maliki stepped down on Thursday to make way for Haider al-Abadi, Iraq’s new prime minister designate in an effort to “safeguard the high interests of the country.”
Velayati called the move “an auspicious phenomenon” which promotes national unity in Iraq.
“It is very important that Iraqi politicians finally reached the same conclusion, which was the formation of a strong government. Formation of such a powerful government would accelerate the resolution of problems in Iraq and makes the country’s foreign enemies understand that people are determined to remain united” Velayati stated.
Iraq has been witnessing a new wave of violence fueled by Takfiri terrorists. The so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group has been operating in the Iraqi provinces of Nineveh, Diyala, Salahuddin and al-Anbar.
In July, the ISIL captured Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, as they looted Christian homes, desecrated cemeteries, destroyed tombs of biblical prophets, ruined churches, and pulled down crosses.
