Alwaght- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei lauded Iraq's Vice-President and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his efforts to restore stability and increase progress in Iraq.
"During the power transition in Iraq, you did a great job by preventing turmoil and instability in Iraq and this will never be forgotten on Iraq's scene," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Maliki in Tehran on Monday.
He also praised Maliki's good understanding of Iraq's problems, and said, "Your method for helping the new government of Mr. Haidar al-Abadi to create unity among different forces in Iraq is a very good move which should continue."
Maliki, for his part, thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for its aids to the Iraqi government and nation in the fight against terrorists and alien elements.
Maliki's decision to stay aside from power in August after a series of conflicts in Iraq saved the country from plunging into further political turmoil. He withdrew his nomination for a third term in office, and backed the nomination of al-Abadi.
Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.
Source: Fars News Agency
