MASHHAD - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei told visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday that the Islamic Republic of Iran fully supports the popular government of Iraq.<br>

Iran has always wanted its neighbor to have an independent and popular government and thus fully supports the current government of Iraq.
During the meeting held in the holy city of Mashhad, the Leader expressed his satisfaction with Iraqi officials� determination to solve the country�s problems and face all the ensuing threats.
Iraq is unique in the Arab world in terms of intellectual expertise and manpower, he added and praised government officials for their efforts to utilize the country�s resources to the benefit of the Iraqi people and to ensure the country attains its rightful place in the world.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that unity among the various Iraqi groups is the key to solving the country�s problems. He said solidarity among Sunnis and Shias, Arabs and Kurds, and other Iraqi groups is a religious necessity which should be realized through cooperation with the al-Maliki government.
The Supreme Leader called the presence of occupying forces in the neighboring country a catastrophe.
The occupiers are trying to convince the world that Iraq would be destroyed if they left country while their withdrawal would in fact open the way for Iraqi officials to solve their problems, he observed.
He went on to say that the bloodshed and other problems in Iraq are due to the presence of the occupying forces or their failure to perform their duty, noting that the U.S. interferes in Iraq�s military, political, and security affairs through its embassy in Baghdad and through the activities of the Zionist and U.S. intelligence services.
On the U.S. efforts to set up a puppet government in Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei said Washington�s policy is doomed to failure and the final victory will belong to the Iraqi people who are concerned about their homeland�s problems.
The Supreme Leader stated that Iraq�s clergymen, notably Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf, are vigilant and attentive and praised Sistani for his great service to the Iraqi nation.
Al-Maliki called the meeting historic.
He also praised Iran for its support of the Iraqi government and nation.
Al-Maliki said his government is determined to work together with all political and ethnic groups in the country for the greater good, adding that Iraq must regain its former status and attain full independence.
Iran, Iraq have heavy responsibility to establish peace
In a meeting with the Iraqi prime minister and his delegation on Wednesday night, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said, �The current situation in the region, including Iraq, is very sensitive.�
Ahmadinejad added, �Iran and Iraq have a heavy responsibility for establishing peace and security in the region.
�The Iraqi government is trying hard to establish security and build a bright future for the Iraqi nation, but corrupt people are opposed to this, and, as a matter of fact, they do now want to see Iraq gain glory and honor.�
Al-Maliki expressed his appreciation for Iran�s positive and constructive stance on Iraq, including Tehran�s support for efforts to improve security and the campaign against terrorism, noting, �Terrorists want to undermine our potential in the political, economic, and cultural spheres, but, by the grace of God, we will neutralize their plots.�
The Iraqi prime minister said, �Today, Iran, Iraq, and all regional countries must fight against terrorism� and added that the killings in Iraq would soon be halted.
Al-Maliki stressed that such meetings provide an appropriate vehicle for bilateral cooperation and thanked Iranian officials for their offer to provide assistance for the reconstruction of Iraq.
Iraqi PM meets Iran�s Judiciary chief
Al-Maliki met Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi in Mashhad on Thursday evening and discussed bilateral ties and the latest developments in Iraq.
Pointing to the peaceful coexistence of all Iraq�s ethnic and religious groups throughout history, the Iraqi prime minister said terrorism and the country�s other problems are the outcome of the enemies� plots against the Iraqi nation.
The so-called dispute between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Iraq has no religious basis and is only a politically motivated campaign, he noted.
Shahrudi also underlined the need to establish security in the neighboring country. He praised al-Maliki�s stances and said the Iraqi government should be supported in order to increase security for the Iraqi people.
Various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting and the need to cooperate to find solutions was emphasized.
Iran wants a secure Iraq
Iran wants an independent, secure, stable, and progressing Iraq, Iranian First Vice President Parviz Davudi said on Thursday during a joint press conference with the Iraqi prime minister.
The security of Iran and the region depends on the security of Iraq, Davudi said, stressing that Tehran �condemns the enemies� plots to sow discord between the two neighboring states by promoting sectarian strife and fratricide.�
To restore peace and stability in Iraq, first of all, the occupation forces must withdraw and must refrain from interfering in the country�s internal affairs, he added.
And the second factor necessary to reach this goal is the authority of the popular government of Mr. al-Maliki, he stated.
Both Tehran and Baghdad �condemn all forms of terrorism,� Davudi said.
�Iran has consistently cooperated with Iraq in the areas of security, political, and economic affairs and will continue such cooperation. We want increased prosperity and security for the Iraqi people and will spare no effort to help them reach this end,� he added.
The two sides� officials called for the implementation of the agreements signed by the two countries, the Iranian vice president said.
Iranian contractors have said they are ready to participate in the implementation of construction projects in Iraq, Davudi noted.
Iran and Iraq are determined to increase economic cooperation and to allow their private sectors to implement development projects, he said.
The expansion of political, cultural, and economic relations with Iraq is on the top of Iran�s agenda, he explained.
The Iraqi premier described his visit to Tehran as a sign of both sides� interest in strengthening ties.
In fact, the visit provided the two countries� officials an opportunity to discuss ways to deal with the current challenges, Al-Maliki added.
The two sides discussed Iraq�s security situation and the expansion of economic and commercial ties between the two countries, he pointed out.
Al-Maliki said the visit convinced him that Iranian officials are interested in promoting bilateral economic cooperation.