Iran, Iraq ink MOU on border security

Iran and Iraq have signed a memorandum of understanding on improving border cooperation in order to step up the campaign against terrorism and prevent illegal border crossings, Press TV reported.

Along these lines, Iranian Border Police Commander Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari held talks with his Iraqi counterpart and other border officials in Tehran on Sunday.

Zolfaqari asked Iraq to prevent terrorist groups from using its territory as a launch pad for attacks against Iranians.

The two nations also agreed to activate joint border committees to study and resolve any difficulties on their shared borders.

On Saturday, during a meeting with Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani, Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili asked the Iraqi government to provide security for Iranian pilgrims.

Jalili also expressed hope that the Iraqi government and people would achieve success in various areas by tightening security after the withdrawal of the occupying forces.

Al-Bulani asked Iran to share its experiences in the field of security with Iraq.

In addition, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is due in Tehran on Monday for talks on major security and border issues.

He is scheduled to meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other high-ranking Iranian officials during his one-day trip to the Iranian capital.