Urgent – – Hague arrives in Baghdad
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The British Foreign Minister, William Jefferson Hague, arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday evening on his first visit to Iraq.
The British Embassy said in a statement received by Iraqi News (IraqiNews.com) that “Hague would meet during his visit to Baghdad with senior Iraqi officials in the forefront of them PM Nouri al-Maliki, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari, and Parliament Speaker, Osama al-Nijaifi.”
The British Foreign Minister said on his arrival to Baghdad: “I am delighted to visit Baghdad to confirm the strong relations between the United Kingdom and Iraq, and to build on trade cooperation and educational links between our two countries.”
He added “I am looking forward to my meetings with PM Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari during which we will discuss the support of the United Kingdom for the political process in Iraq and discuss efforts of the international community to put an end to the blood shedding in Syria.”
He continued saying “The terrible terrorist attacks that took place in Iraq earlier this week show that some sides in Iraq still oppose any progress in this country,” noting that “I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of those attacks.”
Hague confirmed that “The United Kingdom will continue its support for the efforts of the Iraqi government and the majority of the Iraqi people that aim to achieve progress in the political process and ensure the continuity of Iraq on its way toward stability.” / End/