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18:58 GMT
TEHRAN, June 20 (KUNA) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday Tehran was keen on promoting cooperation with Iraq, which he considered "an important country" with which they could contribute to stability and peace in the region.
Rouhani, quoted by the official IRNA news agency during a meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, said Tehran wanted to boost cooperation with Baghdad specially in countering terrorism and extremist groups.
Iran, he added, supported the unity, security and stability of Iraq.
Rouhani congratulated Abadi for the progress in military operations to liberate all cities from so-called Islamic State (IS).
Abadi said Iraq was also keen on expanding counter-terrorism cooperation with Iran, and noted his country was planning improvement of post-IS economic conditions.
Abadi arrived in Tehran earlier today, the second leg of a regional tour that had already taken him to Saudi Arabia, and will include the State of Kuwait. (pickup previous)
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