Tehran Favors Afghan Peace, Stability

(FNA)- Tehran supports strengthening peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan, Caretaker of the Iranian Mission at the United Nations Gholam Hossein Dehqani said, stressing that military presence of the trans-regional states in the region is neither wanted nor accepted.

"Iran favors a secure, stable and progressive Afghanistan and all Afghan political groups should work towards a better future for the country," Dehqani said, addressing a session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

He, meantime, reiterated that the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan will be a threat to that country's territorial integrity.

Dehqani hailed the participation of the Afghan people in the country’s June runoff presidential election despite threats by the terrorists.

"Iran invites all political groups in Afghanistan to cooperate within the framework of Afghanistan's constitution to strengthen the country’s independence, territorial integrity and national unity to secure a peaceful and promising future," the Iranian envoy said.

Afghanistan held a presidential election in April followed by a runoff in June.

Both candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah claimed to have won the presidential election, but after months of wrangling they signed a deal to form a unity government in September.

Under the deal to share power, Ghani was named the president while his opponent holds a chief executive position similar to that of prime minister.