Iran Favors No Specific Party, Person in Iraq Parliamentary Polls: Envoy
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad highlighted the Islamic Republic’s support for Iraq’s national unity and close relations with all political currents, stressing that Tehran will not support any specific party, group or individual in the parliamentary elections slated for October.
In comments about the Iraqi parliamentary elections, due to be held on October 10, Iranian ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi said the Islamic Republic maintains firm and friendly ties with all Iraqi political currents and will not support any specific party or figure against another one.
Iran has always supported the national unity of Iraq and backs cooperation and fraternity among Iraqi parties, currents and coalitions, he added.
The frequent visits that the Iraqi officials pay to Iran indicate that the Islamic Republic has broad relations with all Iraqi parties and groups, the ambassador stressed.
“Not only will the Islamic Republic of Iran not act in support of any person or party against another party in the domestic electoral campaigns (of Iraq), but it will also try to prevent any interference in the election process,” Masjedi concluded.
In a meeting with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq Jeanine Antoinette Hennis-Plasschaert, held in Baghdad in July, the Iranian ambassador urged that the UN and world countries should cooperate with the Iraqi government to enable it to hold the parliamentary elections on schedule.
Iraqis are going to vote for the new parliament on October 10. The parliamentary election was set to be held on June 6, but was postponed for four months because of objection from a number of political parties.