Tehran has strong belief that a powerful Iraq will benefit Iran, Al-Abadi said while speaking to reporters at a press conference held upon his arrival home from a regional tour which took him to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran.
Rejecting any mediatory role during his trip to the region, he said, “We believe that if we are to mediate among regional states, all of the parties should accept that.”
Al-Abadi further noted that during official visit to Saudi Arabia, he discussed major issues such as terrorism and promoting trade ties with the Saudi officials.
He described his visit to Kuwait as positive, saying that he conferred with Kuwaiti officials on occupation of the country by deposed Saddam (Hussein), investment in the state and private sectors as well as investment with neighboring states including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait.
After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, a major section of the debts pertaining to occupation of Iraq has been paid with only a small part remaining to be settled, he said.
As to presence of US forces in Iraq, Al-Abadi said that the country has a non-military presence in the country, noting that the Americans are only providing aid in aerial battle against Daesh, training troops and advisory services.
It is clear that there would be no need for the aerial fight in post-Dash era, stressed the Iraqi PM.
He also underlined that Iraq has diversified it sources of weapon sales.
During his one-day stay in Iran (June 21), Al-Abadi held separate talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri to discuss issues of mutual interests.
