Iraq offers Iran anti-terror help

Interior minister says Iraq is ready to present its support, experience in fighting terror to Iran.

Middle East Online

Bolani BAGHDAD - Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani offered Tehran his ministry's support and experience in fighting terror Friday, just days after a suicide bomber killed 34 people in southeastern Iran. Bolani, who is hoping to keep his job when Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki names his cabinet in the coming days, said his country had been on the "frontline" in the battle against terrorism for several years, and that the Iraqi people sympathised with Iran. "We have always been on the frontline of the fight against terrorists in past years," he said in a statement to the press. "The Iraqi people have tasted that bitterness, which makes them sympathise with Iran and stand side-by-side in this crisis." "My ministry expresses its readiness to present its support and experience in the field of fighting terrorism, and all possible means to break the back of terrorism in the future." On Wednesday, a suicide bomber from Sunni militant group Jundallah killed 34 faithful taking part in an Ashura procession in the southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchestan province. A second attacker was killed by police, Iranian officials said. Iran said the suicide attack originated from a Jundallah base in neighbouring Pakistan. Though violence has been on the decline in Iraq in recent months, it remains high by international standards. The death toll from violence in Iraq in November was the lowest in a year for the second month running, with 171 people still killed in attacks. Bolani failed to win a seat in Iraq's parliament during March elections and his bloc won just four seats in the 325-member assembly. Maliki must name his cabinet by December 25.