As Iraq experiences increasing insecurity, Iran has called on its Iraqi neighbor to enhance bilateral cooperation aimed at restoring security to that country.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that security in Iraq needs collective cooperation and joint consultation between Iraq's neighboring states," Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said Tuesday, prior to his departure to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh to take part in a ministerial meeting on Iraq.

"The presence of foreign forces in Iraq has led to insecurity and instability," he added.

He urged foreign forces and the occupiers to withdraw from Iraq and to delegate full administration of the country's affairs to its nation.

The minister said that the participants at the sixth meeting of interior ministers of Iraq's neighbors would discuss a range of issues, including controlling common borders to prevent illegal entry of terrorists into Iraq.

"The meeting aims to help Iraq achieve its independence and to prevent interference of foreign countries in Iraq's internal affairs," he said.

Mohammad-Najjar expressed hope that the meeting would play a leading role in restoring peace and stability in Iraq.

"The US entered Iraq under the guise of fighting against weapons of mass destruction, but we have witnessed that terrorism and insecurity have spread in the country," he said.
The meeting will be attended by Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Bahrain and Turkey, as well as representatives from the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the Arab League.

Egypt and Bahrain are attending the meeting as observers.

Diplomatic ties between Iran and Egypt were severed in 1979 due to Cairo's recognition of Israel as well as its signing of a peace treaty with Tel Aviv.

Despite their contrasting views, Tehran and Cairo took steps in 2007 to normalize diplomatic relations.

SF/SC/MB