Iran insists on immediate U.S. Iraq pullout

Islamic Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar who has participated in the conference of Iraq’s neighbors in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, reiterated on Tehran’s position for an immediate withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq as a prelude to establish full security in the country.

U.S. combat troops officially withdrew from all Iraqi cities on June 30, handing over security to Iraqi forces.

Najar who was addressing the conference on Wednesday said as it is clear in places where Iraqi forces have been tasked to take over responsibility security has been “increasing day by day” and that is why Iran “is insisting on an immediate and unconditional pullout of occupation forces”.

The relative calm in Iraq is an endorsement to the Islamic republic’s view that occupiers are mostly responsible for insecurity in the country, the Al Jazeera TV quoted the minister as saying.

Najar added that security will not be fully attained without a strong solidarity between Iraqi people and government and a serious assistance by its neighbors.

The former defense minister said the root of insurgencies in Iraq mostly originates from abroad.

It is the duty of regional countries to adopt proper measures to counter the “vicious phenomenon of insecurity and terrorism” in the region through coordinated efforts, the minister proposed.

“Regional countries have right to expect us to find logical and realistic solutions to the problems which have been created by law-breaking and plundering foreign powers,” he noted.

He called on countries neighboring Iraq to create a proper environment for sustainable progress and providing welfare to citizens.

He also praised the performance of the Iraqi government and cooperation shown between the government and the people.

He cited proper management, amity between government and the nation, and cooperation by neighboring countries as the reasons for security progresses in the war-torn country.