Feb 10 2016

Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi said during a meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday that Iraqis of all their constituents stand united to defend their country against terrorism, which does not represent Islam and targets all religious groups, including Muslims and Christians, adding that the Christian brothers in Iraq are the focus of our pride and our love and we are keen to take care of them and protect them and to secure their freedom to practice their religious rituals.

He expressed his appreciation for the positions of the Pope in calling for unity and rejection of terrorism and extremism and urged Christians to stay in their country of Iraq and defend it.

For his part, the Pope blessed the Iraqi government's efforts to support the peaceful coexistence between the Iraqi people and their response to terrorism which targets humanity and threatens security and stability, expressing hid wishes that Iraq rid itself of terrorism and peace prevails in all parts of Iraq and the world.

In his meeting with the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin the Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi said Iraqis achieve major victories against Daesh and have liberated large areas of our land and our cities, and are heading for the liberation of the city of Mosul, which has a long history and an area that represents the co-existence of all religions and nationalities and components of the Iraqi people, especially the Christians who lived in this city since ancient times, and along with the rest of the people have been subjected to persecution and displacement by Dash. The PM also expressed his happiness at the productive meeting with Pope Francis.

For his part, the Cardinal Secretary of State expressed the Vatican's support for the government and the people of Iraq and its support in achieving security and stability and overcoming the humanitarian crisis caused by terrorism.

Prime Minister's Media Office

10 February 2016