Conditions in Iraq greatly improved – PM

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said conditions in Iraq have improved a great deal compared to the past, adding security and stability were maintained, according to a release issued by the premier’s office on Saturday. “The country is now heading toward projects of reconstruction,” Maliki said during a meeting with a delegation of Iraqi media people and expatriate intellectuals in Baghdad. “Your visit to Iraq would offer you a chance to get abreast of the Iraqi experiment and to convey the facts you see on the ground without any exaggerations,” Maliki was quoted saying in the release as received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “Sectarianism has been laid to rest,” said Maliki, expressing Iraq’s content to have “cultural communication with the peoples of the world.” The delegation members revealed plans to hold two conferences on political plurality in Iraq and education’s role in enhancing national identity. AmR (P)/SR 1