Iranian FM hails Iraq's 'mediatory role' in region

BAGHDAD, Iraq

Iran is looking forward to strengthening relations with Iraq, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Monday.

"We respect good neighborliness and sovereignty [for Iraq], we don't interfere in internal affairs and our relations with Iraq are strong and we look to strengthen it," Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein.

Zarif, who started an official visit to Baghdad on Monday, said his country welcomes Iraq’s role in bringing stability in the region.

Hussein, for his part, said it serves Iraq’s interest to work with Iran to achieve stability in the region.

Hussein said the top Iranian diplomat will visit Najaf city in southern Iraq and the northern Iraqi Kurdistan region during his visit to Iraq.

According to Iranian and foreign media, Iraq is mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia in an effort to ease tension between the two sides.

Following the ouster of the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq in 2003 by the US invasion, Iraq and Iran established strong relations.

Washington, however, repeatedly accused Iran of meddling in Iraq's affairs, an accusation denied by Tehran.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara