Rafsanjani describes meeting with Sistani as “historic”

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: The chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, described his meeting with top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani on Thursday as “historic,” while the latter rejected an invitation from Rafsanjani to visit Iran. “Visiting Sayyid Ali al-Sistani was a hope for me and the meeting was historic and so valuable,” Rafsanjani said at a press conference held after the meeting. “I asked Sistani to visit Iran, but he apologized and gave me a good reason for not coming to Iran,” he added. “The meeting tackled issues of common concern and opportunities and challenges facing Iraq and Iran,” he also said. On Monday (March 2), Rafsanjani arrived in the capital Baghdad on a five-day visit that aims to tackle cooperation between the two countries. SH (P)/SR 1