Bogus anti-terror coalitions fail to ensure regional security: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says coalitions allegedly fighting terrorism are incapable of playing a role in the establishment of stability and security in the region.

“Countries, which have supported terrorist groups such as Taliban, al-Qaeda and Daesh [by providing them] money and arms for many years and are are still helping them, cannot claim to be combating terrorism,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Tehran on Monday.

He stressed the importance of enhancing security in the region and in the Muslim world and urged all countries to make efforts to uproot terrorism and restore lasting regional security.

Rouhani further stated that Iran and Pakistan had many common interests and urged the two countries to reinforce relations in all fields and increase the volume of their trade ties to five billion dollars per year.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood by the Pakistani people over the past 70 years and the expansion of ties and interactions between the two countries’ officials and representatives can undoubtedly be effective in developing mutual relations,” Rouhani added.