BAGHDAD, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that the U.S. decision to designate Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a "terrorist organization" doesn't serve stability in the Middle East.
"The recent U.S. decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization is a decision that does not fit the region's need for stability. Our region needs decisions that contribute to strengthening its stability," the ministry said in a statement.
"Iraq maintains its firm position, and will not allow its territory to be a base or a corridor to harm any neighboring country," the statement quoted the ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahaf, as saying.
He said that Iraq wants to be neutral and will be active in any initiative that positively reflects on the security of the region, according to the statement.
"Terrorism has been defeated in Iraq, and its elimination in the region requires the efforts of all parties in it," al-Sahaf said.
On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said that his country had tried to stop the U.S. decision to designate Iran's IRGC as a "terrorist organization."
"We tried to stop the decision to include the IRGC on the terrorism list, and contacted King Abdullah of Jordan, the U.S. government and the Egyptian government," Abdul Mahdi said.
"We explained to them that the decision could have negative impacts on Iraq and the entire region, and that such escalation could further disturb the region," he said.
"We have told Iran and America that we do not want Iraq to be a field of conflicts," Abdul Mahdi added.
Abdul Mahdi's comment came a day after the United States designated Iran's IRGC as a "foreign terrorist organization," a move that is expected to further complicate the Middle East situation.
Iran also designated the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and all its affiliates as "a terrorist group" on Monday.
