US decisions in Iraq based on incorrect sources: Araqchi

Baghdad, 2007/03/11, IRNA 

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said here Saturday that the decisions made by Washington in Iraq were based on incorrect information.

Araqchi, who headed an Iranian delegation attending a day-long security meeting in Baghdad Saturday, made the remark while talking to reporters.

"In our policies, we have repeatedly announced that we are interested in establishment of stability and security in Iraq since we are familiar with the situation in the region.

"We do not consider escalation of violence and disorder in Iraq as beneficial to the region," he said.

He added, "In Saturday meeting, we once again expressed our full support for Iraq's legal government and its oppressed nation." Holding direct talks between the Iranian and US delegations ran counter to the objectives of the meeting, he said adding that all meetings held between delegations in Iraq took place according to the schedule.

The Iranian official further called for speedy withdrawal of foreign military forces from Baghdad.

"To us, presence of foreign forces in Iraq will not help establish stability and security in that country. Continuation of presence of troops will lead to escalation of tension and expansion of terrorist activities," Araqchi reiterated.

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