Egyptian delegation’s visit to Iraq in press

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: An Iraqi newspaper on Monday gave prominence to the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affair Ahmed Aboul al-Gheit’s visit to Iraq, with other newspapers criticizing the Iraqi government for its alleged failure to tackle corruption in the country. The government-funded al-Sabah newspaper said in an article by its editor-in-chief, Fallah al-Mashaal, that the Egyptian delegation’s visit to the Iraqi capital has contributed much to the efforts made by the government to rebuild international relations. According to the author, Iraq has succeeded in gaining international support, particularly from powerhouse countries, like the United States, Britain and Japan, as well as the European Union. This success has been reflected in the cancellation or the reduction of Iraq’s debts, in addition to support and assistance from several donor countries, the author noted. Mashaal argued that with the reestablishment of relations with Egypt, which he described as the largest Arab country in terms of significance, Iraq has made much headway in its international policy. On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received the Egyptian ministers of foreign affairs and oil, Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Fahmi, and discussed with them means of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the political, security, economic and trade fields. Yesterday, the Egyptian officials arrived in Iraq on an unannounced visit to meet with the Iraqi president and premier in the highest-ranking visit by an Egyptian delegation since 1990. A political advisor for the Iraqi prime minister said that Maliki discussed with the Egyptian ministers the reopening of the Egyptian embassy in Baghdad Ihab al-Sharif was appointed as an ambassador-designate to Iraq, but he was assassinated shortly after his posting in June 2005, with al-Qaeda-in-Iraq claiming responsibility for the killing. Meanwhile, al-Dustour newspaper, an independent daily, commented on what it described as “unresolved corruption cases” in the Iraqi government. The editor-in-chief of the daily publication, Bassem al-Sheikh, said that administrative and financial corruption is one of the most serious problems hindering progress in post-war Iraq. The author lashed out at officials and ministers, whom he said are involved in corruption cases or have links with corrupt bodies. SS (I) 1