International Desk - IRAN DAILY
An Iranian lawmaker warned on Tuesday that the chaotic situation in Iraq could be a breeding ground for foreign interference, a day after powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced he would quit politics.
Following Sadr’s announcement, deadly clashes erupted between rival Shia groups in Baghdad, which left at least 22 people dead – the worst violence in the Iraqi capital in years.
In a televised address delivered on Tuesday, Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement, ordered his followers to end their protests in central Baghdad and apologized to Iraqis for the unrest.
Shahriar Heidari, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told Iran Daily that the United States and “supporters of instability” welcome the current situation in Iraq as it provides the ground for “political abuse”.
Heidari blamed political uncertainty in Iraq on a prolonged standoff which gave the country its longest run without a government.
“This is not in the interest of the Iraqi nation at all,” the lawmaker said.
Iraq has been grappling with a 10-month political deadlock since October’s parliamentary elections, which saw Sadr’s movement winning the biggest bloc, with 73 seats in the 329-seat legislature.
“Instability and disorder in Iraq will not result in anything other than the continuation of chaos, tension and conflict,” the Iranian legislator warned.
“As the leader of a political movement in Iraq, Sadr, like other political groups, had part of the power in parliament and should have pursued his demands via the legislative chamber,” Heidari said.
He added that Sadr’s withdrawal from all political activity caused instability in Iraq.
“He has personally stepped down from power, but at the same time, his movement plays a key role in Iraq’s government and parliament, so it is better for him to ask his followers to follow the law and not engage in tension and conflict.”
The MP also urged all Iraqi political parties and branches of power to abide by the law to stabilize the country and break the political deadlock.
“We have always wanted stability and security in Iraq,” the MP said, adding, “Peace can be restored only if the law on the formation of a government is respected”.
Heidari noted that Iraqis deserve peace and tranquility after four decades of war and bloodshed.
“The lives of the Iraqi people should not always be plagued by war and conflict. After the defeat of the Daesh terror group, the situation began to improve for some time... Therefore, in order for the peaceful situation in Iraq to continue, all groups must obey the law,” he said.
The lawmaker said that insecurity in neighboring Iraq could affect Iran and deal a blow to bilateral trade and tourism.
“The dignity and honor of the government and nation of Iraq, as a country that has friendly relations with us, is always a concern of the Islamic Republic,” he pointed out.
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