| Iraqi officials rejected the request of UN envoy regarding the extension of the Camp Ashraf deadline, and emphasized the expulsion of terrorist group Mujahedin-e Khalq within one month instead. |
According to Habilian Association quoting from Fars News Agency, Hossain Ali said Iraqi government never extends the announced deadline for the closure of Camp Ashraf, because they had been given time to leave Iraq since one year ago.
"I therefore appeal to the government of Iraq to extend this deadline in order to permit adequate time for a solution to be found," said Kobler, top United Nations envoy in Iraq, on Tuseday.
The member of Iraqi parliament's Security and Defense Committee rejected the demand of UN envoy and further stressed the necessity of expulsion of MKO terrorists withing one month and said “they have to leave Iraq within 24 days just as planned.” He added, “December 31 was announced to them from one year ago, and UN officials had to resettle them in another country earlier.”
“After removal of US troops from Iraq it’s time for MKO terrorists to leave this territory and seek asylum in another country,” Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi told FNA.
"Iraq stood firm on its decision, and this decision has been made based on the constitution of Iraq that no militia has permission to be in Iraq," said Abawi. “The only option for MKO terrorists is to leave Iraq and they have no other choice,” he added.
Iraqi ambassador to Iran Majid al-Sheikh said the time for expulsion of MKO members from Iraq is "non-extendable," ISNA news agency reported Wednesday.
"Iraqi government has decided to expel members of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) from its soil and this decision is irrevocable," he said regarding withdrawal of the group from Iraqi soil as the country is becoming close to end of 2011.
"They should leave Iraqi soil before December 31, 2011, otherwise they will be responsible for consequences which may occur to them," he told ISNA.
Mujahedin-e Khlaq (MKO, MEK), listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community, has committed numerous terrorist acts against Iranian officials and civilians as well as the Iraqi citizens.
The MKO sided with Saddam, former dictator of Iraq, in the massacres of Iraqi Kurds and in suppressing the 1991 uprisings in southern Iraq.
Since Saddam was deposed in 2003, the Iraqi government has set numerous deadlines for the terrorist group to leave the country but the MKO has managed to maintain its base with US support.