Iranian envoy says govt. formation interior Iraqi matter

BAGHDAD /Iraqi News The Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, on Saturday described the formation of the new Iraqi government as an “interior issue.” “Iran considers the formation of the government an interior Iraqi matter,” Qomi said in a press conference held at the headquarters of the Iranian embassy in Baghdad, which was attended by Iraqi News. The official has called for speeding up the formation of the government, adding that the upcoming government “will bear several burdens,” including the combat of terrorism, the rebuilding of the country and the establishment of good relations with neighboring countries. Qomi has reiterated his country’s support for the Iraqi people, saying “Iraqis will not allow anyone to take them back to square one and will not allow dictatorship to take hold again.” SS (P)/SR 2