Baghdad: Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, affirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening its relations with its Arab neighbors. According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Maliki’s media office stated in a press release that he met with the new Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq, Ahmed Hussein Khafaji, at his office. During the meeting, they discussed several issues of mutual interest, the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the region, and ways to expand Iraqi-Egyptian cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and developmental fields.

Al-Maliki emphasized the deep historical and fraternal ties that bind Iraq and Egypt, noting that Iraq views Egypt as the “elder sister” of the Arab states, given its historical, political, and diplomatic weight in the region. He expressed his hope that relations between the two countries would witness further development in various fields and that Egypt would regain its active role in Arab affairs and representation. He added that Iraq is keen to strengthen its relations with its Arab neighbors, and that Egypt has an important role to play in supporting stability and Arab rapprochement.

Al-Maliki affirmed that Iraqis view Egypt with pride, and that the ties between the two peoples transcend official relations, reaching a deep-rooted shared history and culture. For his part, the Egyptian ambassador expressed his country’s keenness to strengthen relations with Iraq and develop prospects for joint cooperation, emphasizing the importance of communication and coordination between the two countries in a way that serves the interests of both brotherly peoples and enhances security and stability in the region.