(VOvworld) – Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that international assistance in the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group should respect the country's sovereignty.

Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'afari (photo: presstv.ir)

In a press conference in Baghdad on Wednesday Jaafari said it’s unacceptable that Iraq is becoming a land of conflict but it’s necessary to solve this problem in a way that preserves Iraqi sovereignty.
When asked about the commander of Iran's ground forces’ vow last week to protect Iran’s border "deep into Iraqi territory" if necessary, Jaafari said Iranian support was welcome. He said Iran has provided assistance to Iraq, as have some other countries.

At least 81 people were killed in air strikes and clashes between the Iraqi security forces and IS militants.