Iraq ex-Prime minister: I have Come to Mashhad for Renewing the Covenant

Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s Deputy President, entered Mashhad on Tuesday evening with the purpose of going on the pilgrimage of Imam Reza (A.S.).
He was welcomed by deputy custodian of Astan Quds Razavi and a number of authorities of Khurasan Razavi in Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport.
Iraq’s Deputy President recounted his purpose of this trip as going on the pilgrimage and renewing his covenant with Imam Reza (A.S.).
Referring to his meetings with Iranian authorities in Tehran, Nouri al-Maliki reiterated, “In my trip to Iran and meeting with Iranian high-ranked authorities we discussed the ways we should deal with terroristic, divisive, and Takfiri groups.”
“We also exchanged ideas concerning political, economic, and social affairs and development of cooperation in different domains”, he added.
Besides pilgrimage of the holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.), Iraq’s Deputy President in this trip will talk about the presence of Iraqi pilgrims in Mashhad, expansion of economic, trade, technical services cooperation and increase of investments in Khurasan Razavi and contribution of this province in renovation of Iraq.”
Before travelling to Mashhad, Nouri al-Maliki had already visited the Supreme Leader and heads of the three powers and had visited the holy shrine of Hazrat Ma’sumeh (A.S.).