UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq Jan Kubis stressed the need for cooperation between Iran and Iraq as "two friendly neighboring countries" to help establish stability in Iraq and preserve the Arab country's integrity and sovereignty.
Kubis made the remarks at a press conference after a meeting with the advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, in Tehran on Saturday, IRNA reported.
The envoy, who also serves as the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), hailed the Islamic Republic's wide-ranging support for its western neighbor in economic, social and humanitarian fields as well as the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
In his meeting with Velayati, Kubis expressed pleasure with Tehran's commitment to combating terrorism, describing the threat posed by IS as "extremely serious."
Voicing regret over the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria, he said, "Iran's assistance is undoubtedly significant to help defeat terrorism, establish security and preserve the territorial integrity of the crisis-hit countries in the region."
Velayati reiterated Iran's resolve to help restore stability to regional states, saying Iran sees the security of the region "as that of its own."
"The Islamic Republic will not remain indifferent toward terrorist activities near its borderlines," he said, adding that in such cases Tehran will not hesitate to take measures to counter any menace.
Describing IS as a threat not only to the Middle East but to the whole world, the director of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council said, "We are aware of the motivation behind IS actions as well as that of its supporters."
The Leader's advisor called "unbelievable" certain western countries' policy to back terrorist groups by providing them with arms, equipment and training, which has led to the large-scale killings of innocent people.
Someday, the terrorists will take on the very states that have created and supported them, he warned.
***Crucial Decrees
Later in the day, the UN envoy sat down with the deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs to discuss the latest regional developments, especially in Iraq.
The two officials explored avenues for taking joint measures to deal with terrorist groups, especially IS.
"(Maintaining) national unity is the key to resolving the current crisis in Iraq," said Hossein Amir Abdollahian, calling on all Iraqi groups to remain committed to the country's constitution, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He underlined the significance of decrees issued by Iraqi religious leaders to mobilize the people to establish volunteer counter-terrorist groups against "Takfiri" terrorists.
A Takfiri is a Muslim who accuses followers of other faiths and some Islamic sects of being unbelievers.
Iraq's prominent Shia cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and some other religious figures issued decrees calling on the Iraqi nation to take up arms and help their government defend their country against militants. Currently, the Iraqi army, backed by volunteer forces, is engaged in operations against militants across the country.
The UN envoy appreciated Iran's role in the campaign against terrorism and its friendly measures to help bring stability to Iraq and Syria and maintain their territorial integrity.
Kubis highlighted the important part played by religious leaders in Iraq in mobilizing the public to defend against invaders and urged regional states to work together, putting aside sectarianism, to help solve the crisis in Iraq.
