VP Hashemi to visit Egypt prior to elections – spokesman

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi will pay a visit to Egypt prior to Iraq’s March 7 parliamentary elections to “assure the Arab community that the political scene in Iraq is good,” according to Hashemi’s spokesman on Sunday. “Vice President Hashemi will be visiting Egypt within the news few days to assure the Cairo-based Arab League that the political situation in Iraq is good despite discrepancies and unbalanced acts,” Abdul-Ilah Kadhem told IraqiNews.com news agency. Hashemi had discussed on Saturday (Feb. 20) with the Egyptian ambassador to Iraq, Sherif Kamal Shahin, the current political developments in light of the preparations for the legislative elections. Shahin handed Hashemi an official invitation to visit Egypt, which the vice president has accepted, Kadhem added. AmR (P)/SR 1