PM, Egyptian delegation discuss reopening of embassy

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki discussed with the visiting Egyptian ministers means of boosting diplomatic and bilateral relations between the two countries, the premier’s political advisor said. “Today, Maliki received the Egyptian ministers of foreign affairs and energy, Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Hassan Younis, and discussed with them the reopening of the Egyptian embassy in Baghdad,” Sadeq al-Rikabi told IraqiNews.com. Earlier today, 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. “The two ministers will meet with their Iraqi counterparts to take up bilateral cooperation in all fields,” Rikabi noted. 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. SS (P) 1