2 political analysts expect development in Iraqi-Arab relations after Doha summit

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Two political analysts on Monday expected a significant development in Iraqi-Arab relations after the Arab summit in Doha by the end of the running month, noting that Iraq’s political and economic reality will help improving ties with Arab countries. Hadi Jalu, a political analyst, expected an improvement in Iraq’s relations with Arab countries after the Doha summit, explaining that the summit will tackle a number of issues, including Iraq. “The end of violence in Iraq encourages Arab countries to develop their political and economic relations with the country,” Jalu told IraqiNews.com news agency, noting that Iraq needs several investments projects, the matter that pushes Arab countries to foster economic ties with it. “Arabs try to boost political relations with Iraq to make it immune to any Iranian interference,” he explained, asserting that the coming Arab summit will bring Iraq closer in the Arab arena. On Iraq’s relations with Saudi Arabia, the analyst said “I believe that the kingdom will get closer to Iraq through the Doha summit, as the Saudi leadership gave the green light to Saudi companies to start working in the country.” “Iraq started a good relations with Saudi Arabia, mainly as the two countries are about to sign a security agreement to exchange detainees,” he said. For his part, Watheq al-Jalabi, writer and political analyst, told IraqiNews.com news agency that “the Doha summit is necessary for Iraq to develop relations with all Arab countries,” expecting that all Arab countries would reopen embassies in Baghdad. “After the security improvement in Iraq, several senior Arab officials visited the countries. The last one was Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa,” he said. He expected to sign joint protocols with Arab countries. Last week, Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa urged Iraq to resume its role in the Arab world as it is making progress in national reconciliation that has led to better stability. The Iraqi presidential cabinet chief had said on Sunday (Mar. 22) that President Jalal Talabani will lead Iraq’s delegation to the Arab summit in the Qatari capital Doha later this month. Talabani, he said, will meet with Arab leaders on the sidelines of the summit and will urge them to open embassies in Baghdad and write off debts due of Iraq, noting the Iraqi and Palestinian issues will figure high on the Doha meeting’s agenda in addition to the Arab-Iranian relations. “Iraqi-Saudi ties are witnessing remarkable closeness and will hopefully become stronger in the future,” he said. The Arab summit is scheduled to be held in the Qatari capital on March 29-30. The Arab summit is being held annually in one of the Arab capital cities in alphabetical order in March every year. SH (S)/SR 1