IRNA � President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran, inspired by the Islamic teachings, has always been a flag-bearer of peace, stability and security in the region.

President Rouhani, in his message read out in a ceremony held to celebrate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action also attended by foreign envoys and top officials, that Iran is a victim of land mines.

Forty-two thousand square kilometers of Iran-Iraq common border regions has been contaminated by 20 million land mines and explosives sold to the Iraqi former dictator Saddam by the claimants of human rights, the President said.

He noted that Iran is one of the main victims of mine explosions.

Those countries that provided former Iraqi government with mines, avoided providing Iran with the technology to clean the mines after the war, the Iranian President added.

Rouhani expressed hope for a day the world is set free from violence, threats and wars.