Assad speaks of Iraqi unity in Hakim meeting

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his country supports well-intentioned effort aimed at consolidating national unity in neighboring Iraq.

Assad, during a Thursday meeting with the leader of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, Ammar al-Hakim, underlined the importance of Iraq’s national unity, offering support for any attempt that would promote security and stability in the war-ravaged state.

“Permanent commitment to security and stability in Iraq and its support for the country’s political process with the participation of all Iraqi parties,” Assad said.

Hakim, for his part, expressed high appreciation for Syria’s supportive stance regarding the interests of the Iraqi nation and its all-out efforts to preserve the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Iraq is currently reeling from a series of bombings that have hit Baghdad over the past weeks. Last Tuesday, several bomb attacks near highly guarded locations in central Baghdad’s Green Zone killed four people and injured 14 others including a Press TV cameraman.

A week earlier, multiple coordinated bombings killed 127 people and wounded more than 500 others. Al-Qaeda militants claimed responsibility for the bombings and warned of more strikes.

Iraqi security officials have warned that militants will probably continue high-profile attacks in an attempt to destabilize the Iraqi government ahead of the March 7 parliamentary elections.