Baghdad: National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi affirmed that the government is committed to restricting weapons to the state. His media office stated in a press release that “National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi met today, Thursday, with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is currently visiting Iraq.” The statement added that “the meeting addressed the latest developments in the region and ways to strengthen relations between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting also addressed security agreements between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Al-Aboudi affirmed that Iraq is committed to the joint security agreement between the two countries, noting that the relationship between the two friendly nations is historical and close, and that the two peoples share strong bonds.

He continued, stating that Iraq’s stability contributes to the stability of the region, pointing out that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi’s government emphasizes strengthening relations with neighboring countries in particular and the world in general, which serves the country’s interests. He indicated that the Iraqi constitution does not permit the existence of armed groups that threaten the security of other countries, explaining that the government is committed to restricting weapons to the state.

For his part, Qalibaf affirmed that the Islamic Republic of Iran values its relations with Iraq and supports the government’s program regarding the establishment of a legal framework to regulate weapons under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, clarifying that his country is committed to the security agreements concluded between the two nations.