Iraqi Premier Will Visit Iran to ‘Enhance’ Ties
A delegation led by Barham Salih, a deputy prime minister, traveled to Iran last week to pave the way for Mr. Maliki’s visit. Mr. Maliki lived for some time in Tehran, the Iranian capital, while in exile during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
The purpose of Mr. Maliki’s visit is to “enhance relationships between the two countries,” his spokesman, Ali al-Dabagh, said in a written statement.
Any relationship between Iraq and Iran should be “based on mutual interests and the respect of the sovereignty of the two countries and noninterference in internal affairs,” Mr. Dabagh said.
American and Sunni Arab officials have long accused Iran, a Shiite-ruled country, of interfering in political and military affairs here. Many religious Shiite parties now in power in Iraq, including Mr. Maliki’s Islamic Dawa Party, have close ties to Iran. But ordinary Iraqis are generally suspicious of Iran, whose ethnic Persians have traditionally rivaled Arabs for influence in this region.
Read the rest at the NY Times
Related Link:
Unconfirmed/Conflicting Reports: Iraqi high official to visit Iran
The purpose of Mr. Maliki’s visit is to “enhance relationships between the two countries,” his spokesman, Ali al-Dabagh, said in a written statement.
Any relationship between Iraq and Iran should be “based on mutual interests and the respect of the sovereignty of the two countries and noninterference in internal affairs,” Mr. Dabagh said.
American and Sunni Arab officials have long accused Iran, a Shiite-ruled country, of interfering in political and military affairs here. Many religious Shiite parties now in power in Iraq, including Mr. Maliki’s Islamic Dawa Party, have close ties to Iran. But ordinary Iraqis are generally suspicious of Iran, whose ethnic Persians have traditionally rivaled Arabs for influence in this region.
Read the rest at the NY Times
Related Link:
Unconfirmed/Conflicting Reports: Iraqi high official to visit Iran
posted by iraqnam at 8:59 PM
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