TEHRAN -- Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi here Wednesday called on the armed forces not to engage in factionalism.

Addressing the head and officials of the ideological-political department at the Islamic Republic Army that Armed Forces, however, should increase their political awareness, identify friends and foes and understand political orientations.

He said it is necessary to provide the army and other Armed Forces with ideological, political and cultural training courses so as to prepare them face cultural inroads. He, however said the program requires careful planning.

Hashemi Shahroudi added that the army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) are integral parts of the system.

(IRNA)