TEHRAN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Wednesday called for dialogue among Iraqi political parties to settle tensions, after clashes killed 22 and wounded over 200 in the neighboring country when a Shiite cleric's supporters stormed main government headquarters.
Iran always "considers dialogue-based approaches, protection of civil rights, respect for legal organizations, and adherence to the Constitution and political processes as the only solution out of the current crisis in Iraq," the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also called for Iraqi political factions to set the stage for the formation of a new government through "responsible and constructive political process," noting Iran hopes to see a stable, safe and powerful Iraq that plays a constructive role in regional developments.
The political tensions in Iraq have lasted about a month in the form of sit-ins and counter sit-ins between rival parties, culminating in the bloody clashes in the capital Baghdad late Monday. ■
