TEHRAN, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The president of Iran promised to help Iraqi reconstruction and to support stability in the Iran's western neighbor.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made the assurances Thursday while meeting with Iraqi National Security head Mowafak al-Rabii, IRNA, the Iranian News Agency reported.
Ahmadinejad said it is important to establish "cordial relations based on good neighborly dealings and close viewpoints between all countries of the region."
He said Iran will place all its expertise in various fields at the disposal of the Iraqi people and government "to help Iraq achieve reconstruction and modernization."
However, Ahmadinejad expressed concern over what he called "the insecurity imposed on the Iraqi people that is being used as a pretext by occupation forces to stay in Iraq."
Rabii underscored "the historical relations between the two countries," and praised "the support extended by the Iranian government and people, especially during the difficult conditions Iraq is experiencing."
Iran and Iraq fought a war from 1980 to 1988 when Iraq invaded Iranian territory in a border dispute.
