Issawi, AL envoy ponder relations

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Rafie al-Issawi received at his office in Baghdad on Tuesday ambassador Hani Khallaf, the chief of the Arab League (AL) mission in Iraq to discuss relations between Iraq and the pan-Arab organization. “We seriously wish to strengthen fraternal ties with the Arab League and help its mission in Baghdad to succeed in an endeavor to restore Iraq’s membership in all Arab and Gulf organizations,” Issawi was quoted in a statement by his office as received by IraqiNews.com. “Khallaf conveyed Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa’s greetings to the Iraqi deputy premier and stressed the league’s relief over the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Baghdad and a number of Arab capitals and also the re-opening of embassies and missions’ headquarters,” the statement read. Khallaf, for his part, said that the league was always keen on supporting the Iraqi people and having Iraq retrieve its place among the Arab ranks. AmR (P) 1