Baghdad Not to Let US Use Iraqi Territory against Iran: PM

Iraq will never allow Americans to use the Arab country’s territory against the neighbouring Iran even if it is given the guarantee to be completely reconstructed free of charge, said Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.

Speaking on Saturday night, the Iraqi PM said Baghdad would not allow the country to turn into an appropriate ground for the US’ animosity towards the Islamic Republic.

“We will never allow our country to turn into a scene of clashes between the US and Iran. On the other hand, Iraq is not ready to bear animosity towards Iran even if we are given an absolute authority to rule over the world or offered a guarantee to have our country fully reconstructed free of charge,” he noted.

Elsewhere in his statements, Abadi said Baghdad would never get involved in the regional policies of other countries.

“In Syria, we only recognise the government of Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, we have never established any cooperation with other groups in the country,” he said.

The Iraqi prime minister also dismissed as unacceptable the latest remarks by Iraqi Vice-President Ayad Allawi against Iran and Qatar and added, “We are not allowed to take negative stance against any regional states on the part of Iraq.”

Touching on his upcoming regional tour which is set to take him to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran, he said the three-day tour would begin on Sunday.

He said the tour had been planned before the unfolding of the current diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

In Saudi Arabia, he is expected to hold talks on different issues including war on terror.

Abadi is also set to have a number of other official visits after the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

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