24-04-2024 12:12 AM Jerusalem Timing

Rouhani Pledges Support for Iraq against ISIL, Calls for Ceasefire in Yemen

Rouhani Pledges Support for Iraq against ISIL, Calls for Ceasefire in Yemen

Iranian President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani stressed Wednesday that the issue of Yemen is no longer limited to the region but rather affected the whole humanity.

Iraqi President Fouad Masoum (L), Iranian President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani (R)Iranian President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani stressed Wednesday that the issue of Yemen is no longer limited to the region but rather affected the whole humanity.

In a joint press conference with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Fouad Masoum on Wednesday, Rouhani said that Yemen is suffering from very adverse conditions now, and that aids are necessary for the nation.

"A ceasefire in the real sense of the word has to be established in Yemen," he stated.

Addressing the current situation of Iraq, the Iranian President said "We are now keen to tell those who are sitting in the other half of the world hatching plots for the future of Iraq that it is a unified and sovereign country," stressing that the Iraqi people, as a great nation, have their own plans and will not allow other countries to even talk about disintegrating or dissolving their country.

"Iran is ready to, in line with safeguarding [Iraq’s] stability, security and fight against terrorism, render whatever assistance requested to the Iraqi government," he said.

Referring to the present good economic relations between the two countries, Rouhani said that he discussed with President Masoum further mutual cooperation on such areas as connecting railway networks and highways, passenger issues, energy, agriculture and industry.

He also noted that the two presidents discussed cooperation and coordination on the topic of Syria’s security and other significant regional issues including the situation in Yemen.

For his part, the Iraqi President appreciated Iran’s valuable assistance including arms and humanitarian aid provided to the Iraqi displaced people.

President Masoum said that the fight against the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group, also  dubbed as Daesh, has currently expanded to the entire nation adding that public forces, volunteers and Peshmerga forces are now fighting alongside with the Iraqi army.

Masoum, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran on Tuesday afternoon for a two-day visit.

Bilateral discussions with Iranian officials started shortly after the welcoming ceremony.

Upon his arrival, Massoum described Iran-Iraq relations as strategic, adding that the relations were at high level in all fields and their expansion was intended.

Iraqi president is scheduled to meet with several officials including Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Head of Expediency Council Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani among others.