- News>
- World
Iran calls for peace with Iraq
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami warned `foreigners` against interfering with Iraq`s territorial integrity, state-run Tehran television reported on Sunday.
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami warned "foreigners" against interfering with Iraq's territorial integrity, state-run Tehran television reported on Sunday.
Khatami did not elaborate, but the comment was an apparent reference to the threat of US-led forces attacking Iraq – Washington's longtime foe – as part of the war against terrorism.
Khatami's comments were made following talks with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri.
Iran and Iraq, which share a 800-mile border, host rebels fighting each other's government. A 1980-88 war between the two Muslim nations killed or wounded more than 1 million people before a UN-brokered cease-fire ended the bloodshed.
On Sunday Sabri and Khatami called for a resumption of peaceful relations. Sabri said the time has come for both countries to forget the past and work for permanent peace and cooperation.
Sabri's four-day visit, which ends Monday, comes on the heels of Iran's recent release of 697 Iraqi soldiers. Iraq said it had released to Iran 50 Iranian prisoners.
Bureau Report
Khatami's comments were made following talks with visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri.
Iran and Iraq, which share a 800-mile border, host rebels fighting each other's government. A 1980-88 war between the two Muslim nations killed or wounded more than 1 million people before a UN-brokered cease-fire ended the bloodshed.
On Sunday Sabri and Khatami called for a resumption of peaceful relations. Sabri said the time has come for both countries to forget the past and work for permanent peace and cooperation.
Sabri's four-day visit, which ends Monday, comes on the heels of Iran's recent release of 697 Iraqi soldiers. Iraq said it had released to Iran 50 Iranian prisoners.
Bureau Report