IRNA - Iran�s envoy to Iraq expressed his gratitude on Sunday to Iraqi authorities and nation for hosting Arbaeen pilgrims.

�I feel obliged to sincerely thank the honourable, pious nation of Iraq and the respectable government of the friendly and brotherly country of Iraq for a warm welcome that they gave to millions of Iranian pilgrims who created an epic event,� said Iran�s Ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi on Sunday.

Nearly 18 million people, including 3 million Iranians, visited Iraq during the past days to mark Arbaeen, the fortieth day of martyrdom of Imam Hossein (AS), grandson of Islam�s Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Masjedi described Arbaeen as �the biggest factor that united and created cohesion among the Muslim nations of Iraq and Iran�, saying the event has turned into �the most important phenomenon in the Muslim world�.

Arbaeen, he said, will forge better brotherhood and friendship between Muslim nations.