Baghdad, June 18, IRNA � Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in a statement released on Friday urged Iraqi nation to preserve their national unity and solidarity and avoid religious and secterian discrimination.

In a statement read by Karbala Friday Prayer Leader Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai during the sermon, the Grand Ayatollah called on the Iraqi government to support the refugees and displaced people without any type of religious and sectarian discrimination.

Ayatollah Sistani also encouraged the Iraqi forces to treat civilians, women, children, the elderly and war prisoners according to the Islamic and human values.

Describing Daesh (ISIS) terrorists as foreign elements, the Ayatollah urged Iraqi forces to do everything to free the country from terrorism.

Iraqi forces on Friday liberated key areas in the former Daesh stronghold of Fallujah and raised the national flag of the country over the government buildings.

By IRNA