Putin to Maliki: Russia Supports Iraqi Government in Face of Terrorists - Sistani Says Takfiris Must Be Expelled out of Iraq, Urges New Gov’t

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Maliki-Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by phone to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, expressing Moscow's support for his action against the terorist offensive.

The Kremlin said in a statement that al-Maliki informed Putin on Friday about his government's steps to combat the "terrorist groups in the north of the country." It added that the insurgency threatens security of the entire region.

Putin confirmed Russia's "full support for the Iraqi government's action to quickly free the territory of the republic from terrorists," the Kremlin said, adding that Putin and al-Maliki also discussed bilateral cooperation.


Source: Agencies	20-06-2014 - 19:59 Last updated 20-06-2014 - 19:59

Ayatollah Sistani Says Takfiris Must Be Expelled out of Iraq, Urges New Gov’t

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Religious reference Ayatollah Sayyed Ali al-Sistani said that Takfiri terrorists who have been waging an insurgency against the Iraqi government must be expelled out of the country before it is too late, as he urged forming new government.

If terrorists of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) are nor "fought and expelled from Iraq, everyone will regret it tomorrow, when regret has no meaning," his spokesman announced on his behalf in the holy city of Karbala.

Abdul Mehdi al-Karbalai said Iraqis of all religions and communities had to band together to fight insurgents, led by ISIL but including other groups, such as loyalists of late dictator Saddam Hussein.

Karbalai said in televised remarks that a previous call by Sistani for Iraqis to join the armed forces "was for all citizens, without specifying a religion," clearly outlining a cross-sectarian push.

"The goal was to get ready to face the Takfiri group called ISIL, which now has the upper hand... in what is happening in many provinces," he added.

His eminence also called for the "formation of an effective government that is acceptable on a ... national level (and) avoids past mistakes," his spokesman said on his behalf.