Arab League chief in Baghdad ahead of Arab Summit
TNN Bureau. Updated: 3/16/2017 4:38:09 PM
World
Baghdad, March 16: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit arrived in the here on an official visit for talks with Iraqi top officials ahead of the 28th Arab Summit, to be held in Amman on March 29.
Aboul-Gheit was received by the Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari on Wednesday and the two officials discussed the development in the Arab arena and the agenda of the upcoming Arab summit, as well as the battles against Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Mosul, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Iraq is very keen on its presence at the Arab League in a way that gives a new strength to the league," Jaafari said at a joint news conference after the meeting with the chief.
"Iraq will participate strongly in the next summit," Jaafari added.
Aboul-Gheit said: "The Arab League entirely supports Iraq in its war against Daesh (IS terrorist group) which is about to be totally defeated."
The Arab League chief also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The two sides discussed the situation in the Arab world, and the war against terrorism, said a statement by Abadi's office.
Aboul-Gheit also met with Iraqi President Fuad Masoum, who expressed Iraq's "interest in boosting informational cooperation so as to ensure the elimination of terrorist groups and the reasons behind their existence".
Aboul-Gheit's visit to Iraq came as the Arab summit is scheduled to address tough security issues in the Arab region, including the fight against IS group as well as the crises in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.