 Tehran, 2007 Sep 4, IRNA
The US attempt to create a "graveyard calmness" in Iraq has failed due to the demands of the Iraqi people, the newly-elected chairman of the Assembly of Experts, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Tuesday.
Addressing the opening session of the Assembly of Experts' second meeting in the current year, Rafsanjani said, "US and other occupiers have not planned to help Iraqi people and serve their interest.
"They (US and other occupiers) are now trapped in Iraq," Rafsanjani said before being elected by 41 votes as the chairman of the constitutional body.
He replaced the late Ayatollah Ali Meshkini who passed away last July due to pulmonic disease at the age of 86.
Referring to Iran's assistance to restore stability in Afghanistan, Rafsanjani said "Iran helped a popular government come to power" in that country.
"Similarly, in Iraq, Iran intends to help Iraqi people, including the Sunni and Shia Muslims and the Kurdish population, achieve their rights and live together in peace and friendship.
"Tehran has helped hold several elections in Iraq," Rafsanjani recalled arguing, "But the occupiers' greed has created stumbling block for the Iraqi people.
Referring to the failure of the US policies in the region particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, Rafsanjani said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is still doing its job with goodwill strongly and no one could hurt us."
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