UN Envoy Hails Iran’s Positive Role in Fighting Terrorism in Iraq
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of Mission Nickolay Mladenov praised Iran’s “positive and constructive role” in Iraq and the country's war on terrorism.
Iran was among the first countries that help Iraq in fighting against terrorism after the war-torn Arab state witnessed an eye-catching increase in terrorist groups' activities in northern regions.
“We were not surprised by the move (Iran’s immediate help), because the security of the two countries is interdependent,” Mladenov said in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Tehran on Sunday.
He also touched upon the UN’s efforts to help improve political situation in Iraq and send humanitarian aid to the Iraqi refugees, and called for further consultations with Iran in line with the UN efforts.
The Iranian deputy foreign minister, for his part, deplored the poor performance of the US in the fight against terrorist groups, particularly the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists, saying that there are serious doubts over the US determination to confront the ISIL terrorists because it seems that Washington is seeking to revive its military presence in Iraq.
He also pointed to the importance of the UN’s role in promoting security and progress in Iraq, and called for the continuation of the efforts made by the UN to help the Arab country.
Amir Abdollahian emphasized that Iran supports the UN’s constructive measures in the war-torn Iraq.
The Iranian official also threw Iran’s weight behind a united Iraq, saying that national unity and integrity would improve the political and security conditions in the country.