The newly-elected Iraqi Kurdish president made the remarks in a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The longstanding friendship between the Iranian and Iraqi nations has roots in history, he noted.

According to IRNA the president added Iraqi government is keen to promote relations with Iran, underscoring that the Iraqi people are honored to offer services to the Iranian pilgrims during the Arbaeen rituals.

The Iraqi nation will not forget Iran's support for Baghdad during Saddam dictatorship and also when Baghdad was fighting Takfiri terrorism, President Salih noted.

He lauded the role of religious scholars (marja's) in the country's stability and progress.

The Iraqi president said that reconstruction of infrastructures, fighting corruption, internal reforms and promotion of national solidarity are the country's top priorities.

He called for Iran's cooperation in reconstruction of the war-torn country.

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