Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has declared the imminent expulsion of members of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) from Iraq.

The Iraqi government has decided to expel members of the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization. It is the Iraqi constitution that determines if MKO members will stay or leave Iraq, the al-Bayyina al-Jadida newspaper quoted Zebari as saying, Mehr News Agency reports.

The minister pointed out the Iraqi government's opposition to the MKO on the grounds that the group's interference in domestic affairs has become evident .

The MKO terrorist group has been in Iraq's Diyala province since the 1980s. It helped Saddam Hussein during the eight years of war against Iran (1980-88).

A parliamentarian announced that there is a general consensus among Iraqi officials and organizations over the expulsion of the MKO. Recently the Iraqi cabinet banned any interaction with the MKO by any Iraqi or foreign entity.

The terrorist group has launched terrorist attacks and criminal acts inside Iran, murdering Iranian civilians and government officials.

Prior to the US-led war on Iraq, the Mujahedin Khalq Organization was supported by Saddam Hussein; now the group is under the protection of US forces.

AO/JG/BGH