Hakeem, UAE envoy meet over cooperation

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The head of the Shahid al-Mihrab Foundation for Islamic Call discussed with the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Iraq means of developing bilateral relations between the two countries. “Iraq is keen to develop bilateral relations and mutual interests,” a statement published on the official web site of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) quoted the foundation’s chairman, Ammar al-Hakeem, as saying. Hakeem has praised the UAE government for reopening its embassy in the capital Baghdad. The SIIC is one of the components of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), the largest bloc in the Iraqi Parliament with 83 out of a total 275 seats. SS (P) 1