TEHRAN – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki held key talks in Tehran with top Iranian officials on expanding relations between the two neighbors, establishing consensus among rival Iraqi groups, and improving the security situation in the violence-ravaged country.

Maliki arrived in Tehran on Monday afternoon. He is accompanied by a number of lawmakers and ministers.
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad called for unity among various Iraqi factions in a bid to end the security crisis in the country.
“Iraq should establish security to the extent that discourages the enemies from influencing the country,” Ahmadinejad told Maliki on Sunday.
He said, “The oppressed Iraq has had a difficult time over the past few decades. Today Iraq is also passing through a sensitive time but, having a strong nation, a bright future is awaiting this nation and its leadership.”
Ahmadinejad asserted that “All countries should help the Iraqi government to weather the current sensitive situation.”
“Neighbors, friends, and the United Nations should help establish stability and security in Iraq,” he added.
The president expressed hope that Iraq will soon obtain high international and regional status.
Al-Maliki, for his part, called for further expansion of comprehensive ties with the Islamic Republic.
“Iraq will achieve security through bolstering bilateral ties with Iran,” he asserted.
“Iraq is trying to present a positive image of itself to the international community; today Iraqi political groups have reached a consensus about unity and serving people and we want a boost in economic relations with other world countries,” the Iraqi leader noted.
The United States has been too cautious about growing ties between Tehran and Baghdad.
Iraq will not become a platform for harming Iran
Maliki’s visit to Tehran comes amid strong criticism from Iran over the proposed deal between Iraq and the United States to maintain U.S. soldiers in the country beyond 2008.
Iran has urged Iraq not to sign the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States on maintaining U.S. soldiers in the country beyond 2008. Iraq has also said it has a “different vision” from the United States on the issue.
Maliki said that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used as a base to harm Iran.
“We will not allow Iraq to become a platform for harming Iran and other neighbors,” Maliki said in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki on Saturday.
Maliki said the major objective behind his visit to Tehran is to “bolster ties” with Iran.
The Iraqi leader said all ethnic and religious groups in his country support strong relations with Iran.
“All Sunni, Shia, and Kurd groups and organizations” in Iraq are interested in strengthening ties with Iran in all areas, he stated.
The ongoing consultations between Iran and Iraq show that “common interests” form the cornerstone of ties between the two countries, he added.
Maliki went on to say that neighboring countries will benefit from a stable and secure Iraq.
“Stability or lack of security in Iraq can greatly influence the entire region.”
Mottaki called Maliki’s visit to Tehran a “turning point” in relations between the two neighbors.
He said the Iranian and Iraqi officials “do not have any doubt on expanding ties”.
Iran ready to help Iraq in security enforcement
In a separate meeting with al-Maliki, Iranian top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said Tehran is prepared to help reinforce security in Iraq.
“Iraq’s security is influential in the security of the region and the Islamic Republic is prepared to share its experiences with the Iraqi government to help bring stability and peace” to the violence-ravaged country, Jalili stated.
He lauded people’s growing confidence in the administration, saying the Iraqi nation play a key role in reinforcing security in their homeland.
Al-Maliki, for his part, expressed appreciation for Iran’s efforts to help bring security to Iraq.
“Baghdad has taken considerable steps to establish security in the country which has boosted people’s trust in the government. The administration is determined to support all parties that work under the law.”
He also expressed hope that security improvements in Iraq will provide the ground for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the war-torn state.
Al-Maliki urged Iran to further boost relations with Iraq and provide more assistance to the administration’s efforts to rebuild a secure Iraq.
Iraqi groups must unify against foreign threats
Judiciary Chief Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi called on the Iraqi nation to maintain unity in the face of the enemies’ threats against the Arab state.
In a meeting with al-Maliki on Sunday, Shahrudi said, “A positive and proper interaction among all Iraqi parties is the main requirement of accessing peace and stability.”
He underlined Tehran-Baghdad warm diplomatic relations and expressed Iran’s support for the Iraqi administrations’ efforts to bring peace to the war-torn country.
Al-Maliki briefed Shahrudi on the latest developments in his homeland and expressed appreciation for Iran’s support for the Iraqi government.
“The Iraqi nation and government is making every effort to reinforce stability and maintain unity among different groups,” he stated