Kamāl Kharāzi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, is in Syria for discussions regarding post-war Iraq and other regional issues. Mr. Kharāzi, who arrived in Damascus today, carries a message from President Mohammad Khatami for his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad. The Islamic Republic's Foreign Minister told reporters that only Iraqis can restore stability to their country and that only Iraqis should be responsible for the reconstruction of Iraq. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic quoted Mr. Kharāzi as saying that the United States' disregard for the opinions of Iraq's neighbors is a factor in the post-war violence in Iraq. Washington has warned Iran and Syria to refrain from interfering in Iraq's affairs. However, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that Syria and Iran are closely cooperating to find ways to resolve the crisis and enhance regional security.
Kamāl Kharāzi's Visit to Syria - 2003-09-08
Kamāl Kharāzi, Iran's Foreign Minister, visited Syria to discuss post-war Iraq and delivered a message from President Khatami to President Assad. He emphasized that Iraqis must lead their own reconstruction and criticized U.S. policies for contributing to violence in Iraq. This visit highlights the collaboration between Iran and Syria in addressing regional security issues.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Kamāl Kharāzi visited Syria to discuss the situation in post-war Iraq and delivered a message from President Khatami to President Assad. He emphasized that Iraqis should lead their own reconstruction and criticized U.S. involvement in the region.
- Kharāzi stated that only Iraqis can restore stability in Iraq.
- He criticized U.S. policies for contributing to violence in Iraq.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, the region faced significant instability, prompting neighboring countries like Iran and Syria to engage in discussions about their roles and influence.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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