Qasemi: Hoisting any flag in Kirkuk except Iraq’s national flag mounts tension

Tehran, April 3, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday that hoisting any flag except Iraq's national flag in Kirkuk in Northern Iraq, runs counter to the country’s constitution and will mount tension. 'Iran's principled stance is to support the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty,' he said. Qasemi added that all sides should be committed to the Constitution and help resolve their disputes through dialogue and legal means. Consequently, hoisting any flag except Iraq’s national flag in Kirkuk which is under governing rules and regulations of federal government, runs counter to the country’s constitution and creates tension, Qasemi said. Fight against terrorism and cleaning of the remaining lands from Daesh Takfiri terrorists are among most concerns of the Iraqi government and people winning supports of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said. The recent measures by some Iraqi groups could deviate parts of energy of the Iraqi government and nation from the path of fight against terrorism and focused them on interior political issues which are source of concern, Qasemi said. 1378/IRNA