Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 24
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for safeguarding Iraq's integrity criticizing those who promote the separation strategy on Iraq.
"Americans should not be allowed to dare speak about Iraq's separation," IRNA news agency quoted him as saying during the meeting with visiting Iraqi President Fuad Masum Nov. 24.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, Muhammad Fuad Masum, arrived in Tehran Nov. 22 to attend the third summit of the leaders of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
Khamenei called for protecting national unity in Iraq and said that some regional states as well as westerners are after exaggerating disagreements among different religious and ethnic groups in Iraq.
He further called for expansion of trade ties between Tehran and Baghdad.
In turn Fuad Masum said that Iraqi army has advanced in battlefields against the Islamic State militant group, following well-coordinated operations by popular forces and also Kurdish forces.
The third summit of the leaders of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum wrapped up Nov.23.
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