Iraq's national security adviser meets Iranian parliament speaker in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji met on Thursday with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is visiting Baghdad, according to a statement from the Iraqi National Security Advisory office. The two sides discussed recent regional developments and ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and Iran, and reviewed existing security agreements between the two countries. Al-Araji said Iraq remains committed to joint security arrangements, and that the country's historical ties with Iran reflect deep links between the two peoples. He said Iraq's stability contributes to regional stability, and noted that Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi's government is determined to strengthen relations with neighboring countries. The adviser stressed that Iraq's constitution does not permit the presence of armed groups that threaten the security of other states, and that the government will continue efforts to bring weapons under state control. Ghalibaf, for his part, said Iran values its relationship with Iraq and supports the Iraqi government's program to establish a legal framework placing weapons under the authority of the General Staff.