LOC19:48
16:48 GMT
BAGHDAD, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi government Saturday refused what it
called "harmful" statements by some neighboring countries, namely Turkey and
Iran, regarding the internal affair issues, affirming that Iraq would not be a
tool to anyone to play with.
The Iraqi foreign ministry was reacting a day after a senior Iranian
official said that Iraq was subjected to the Iranian "will and way of thinking.
"
With the withdrawal of the US forces and the beginning of new year, added
the ministry in a statement, senior officials in neighboring countries were
attempting to interfere in the Iraqi internal affairs, not respecting its
sovereignty and the elected government.
"Iraq has not and will never be affiliated to anyone and will not be a toy
in others' game or a place to settle scores between different parties," it
said.
It urged the friendly and neighboring countries, namely Turkey, Iran and
some Arab countries, to respect the sovereignty and independence of Iraq, and
to help the government in Baghdad overcome the security, political and
development challenges.
Commander of Iran's Al-Quds battalion Brigadier Qassim Suleimani, at a
political seminar in Tehran yesterday, said Iraq and southern Lebanon were
subjected to the Iranian will and way of thinking.
Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed concern at the
Iraqi government's measures against senior politicians. (end)
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KUNA 211948 Jan 12NNNN