Iran welcomes peaceful power transition in Iraq

The Islamic Republic of Iran has hailed recent political developments in Iraq, saying it would back “unity, integrity, and sovereignty,” in the crisis-hit country.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Saturday that the peaceful power transition indicated “establishment of solid legal frameworks in Iraq, [and] development of the democratic process,” which would lead to stabilization in the country.

The foreign ministry spokeswoman extolled the role adopted by the country’s religious leaders, prominent figures, and political parties in the transition.

She also called on all Iraqi factions to help the political transition prevail and “play an influential and constructive role in accelerating the process of the Iraqi government formation.”

Afkham expressed hope that efforts by the Iraqi nation and state would result in extermination of terrorism in the country.

On Thursday, Nouri al-Maliki stepped down as premier to make way for Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, voicing support for his successor.

Earlier this month, Iraq’s new President Fouad Massoum appointed the deputy parliament speaker Abadi to form a new government.

Iraq has been fighting ISIL Takfiri terrorists since they took control of Mosul on June 10. The takeover was followed by the fall of the city of Tikrit, located 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of the capital Baghdad. The control of Tikrit was later retaken by the Iraqi army.

The ISIL terrorists have been committing heinous crimes in the captured areas, including mass execution of civilians and Iraqi security forces.

Soldiers of the Iraqi army have been engaged in heavy fighting with the militants on different fronts and have so far been able to push back militants in several areas.