Tehran-Baghdad ties strategic: Iraqi politician

'Regarding an array of commonalities between the two neighboring nations as well as long common borders, relations between Iraq and Iran are strategic,' al-Hakim said on Saturday.

Hakim said that Iraq needs to develop its ties with the Arab nations as well.

'Arabs constitute the majority of Iraqi population,' he said.

The head of the Iraqi National Wisdom Movement also stressed that the regional countries should try to address issue through negotiations.

'Talks are the only way that will guarantee interests of all parties,' Hakim said.

Hakim was elected as head of the Wisdom Movement on Saturday through an unanimous vote by the General Assembly of the Movement.

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