DAMASCUS, 9 September 2003 — Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said yesterday that Iran would like to see a democratic government in Iraq expel US-led occupation forces.
“It is important that the Iraqi people form a democratic government and secure good relations” with neighboring countries, Kharrazi told reporters after talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Foreign Minister Faruq Al-Shara.
“This (Iraqi) government should, certainly, get rid of the occupation forces,” he said.
“The Iraqi people should manage their affairs under the aegis of the United Nations and form a totally free government,” added Kharrazi, who described talks here as “excellent.”
The United States has put Syria and Iran under intense pressure not to interfere in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein on April 9.
Shortly after arriving in Damascus earlier, Kharrazi said: “A permanent coordination (between Syria and Iran) is essential in light of developments in Iraq and Palestine.”
“The Iranian and Syrian governments are close and work in coordination to find ways of solving the crisis and strengthening security in the region.”
Kharrazi denied US accusations that some of those behind recent attacks in Iraq are from Iran. “Iran has not interfered in Iraqi affairs at all,” he said.
Concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, Kharrazi branded Israel “enemy No.1” of the Middle East peace process.
“As long as the United States supports Israel 100 percent, we cannot expect a just and total peace in the region,” the minister said.
“No political plan can succeed unless it takes into account the rights of the Palestinian people,” he added.
Kharrazi and Assad discussed “Iraq, the Palestinian question and bilateral relations,” the Iranian minister said, stressing that Tehran and Damascus held “very close” positions with regard to the Middle East.
