US attack on Iran’s consulate in Erbil, a blow to Iraqi government
May 5, IRNA (javascript:history.back();)
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Saturday that the US attack on
Iran’s consulate in Erbil had been a destructive blow to the Iraqi government.
Mottaki made the remarks in his meeting with prime minister of Iraqi
Kurdistan administration Barzani.
Long-term occupation of Iraq and rampant insecurity by terrorist groups have
turned into a big problem in Iraq, he said adding that the current situation
in Iraq is very critical.
Although the country’s dictator has been removed from the the political
system, but there are a lot of plots which have targeted the country’s national
interests and posing serious threats to the country. He advised all ethnic
groups to forge unity to remove existing problems.
Mottaki also called for removal of existing economic and commercial barriers
to help promote mutual cooperation.
Barzani, for his part, lauded Iran’s support for Iraqi nation and said under
no circumstance "we let any action against Iran’s national interests."
Expressing regret over US attacks to Iran’s consulate in Erbil, he hoped for
release of Iranian diplomats kidnapped by US forces.
He also called for resumption of Iran’s consulate in Erbil to help promote
commercial and economic cooperation between the two sides.
US forces broke into Iran’s consulate in Erbil on January 11 after disarming
its guards and using force to break the gate of the consulate building.
They ransacked the consulate, seized six consular staff (one of whom has been
released). They also seized the consulate’s computers and documents.