Local Editor

Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki stressed that Syria’s steadfastness foiled the plan which was plotted against the region for its specification as the gateway to Iraq and Iran.

"Those who were betting on a military solution are now seeking a political solution for the crisis in Syria," Maliki said during an interview with Al-Manar TV on Saturday.

The Iraqi official said that the policies of states in the region and major players on the international arena produced the terrorism which affected Iraq and instability in the region, noting that he had warned more than two years ago that the crisis in Syria would spill over to Iraq.

Maliki underlined that Iraq rejected to take part in the siege on Syria, which contradicted with the West desires.

"Iraq also rejected the war on Syria as it represented a prelude to war on Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and the whole region," the former Iraqi PM said.