Iran, Iraq should join hands to fight terrorism: Iraqi defense minister

Iran and Iraq as two neighbors should stay in the same front and cooperate in fighting terrorism, the visiting Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said here on Tuesday.

Terrorism is "the common enemy of Iraq and its neighbors", Obeidi said in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, adding that the threats by terrorism necessitated the cooperation between two neighbors.

The defense ministers of Iran and Iraq on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understating to expand their cooperation to establish a national army in Iraq so that it could protect the country and its security.

Dehqan said on Monday that Iran is ready to help neighboring Iraq increase its military power in the face of threats.

"We regard the Islamic Republic of Iran's support for the Iraqi army and armed forces as a part of Iran's defense and security strategies in the region," Dehqan said in a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart.

Iran backs Iraq's unity and territorial integrity, as well as the promotion of democracy in the Arab country on the basis of its constitution, Dehqan said.

The Iraqi defense minister said Baghdad pins hopes on the cooperation with Iran, describing Iran's support for the Iraqi armed forces as a "strategic necessity."

Obeidi arrived in Iran on Monday for an official visit at the invitation of Dehqan. Enditem