Imam Khamenei: US must Not Be Allowed to Talk of Iraq Disintegration

Local Editor

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Sayyed Ali Khamenei confirmed that the US must not be allowed to speak of disintegrating Iraq.

Imam Khamenei made the remark in a meeting with Iraqi President Fuad Masum in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Tuesday.

"The people of Iraq, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Arabs, have been co-existing without a problem for centuries; but, unfortunately, certain regional countries as well as foreigners seek to exaggerate disagreements," the Leader said.

He further stated that such attempts should be countered and any action that would prompt discord should be avoided.

The Leader said disagreements and their publication would pave the way for meddling by outsiders, noting that the situation should not take such a turn as to allow Americans to dare openly speak of Iraq's disintegration.

"Why should such a country as Iraq - a large, prosperous country with a thousand-year history - be disintegrated and divided into smaller parts, and thereby always be exposed to disagreement and confrontation?" Imam Khamenei said.

In parallel, he expressed confidence that Iraqi officials will adjust their country's relations with other states, including the US, with due regard for the interests of the Iraqi people, but emphasized that the Americans should not be allowed to act as if Iraq is their "personal property."

The Leader separately met with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team