Abbas says visit reflects Arab openness to Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Palestinian National Authority (PNA) President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday said that his current visit to Baghdad reflects an increasing Arab openness to Iraq. The remark came during his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, according to a statement released by Maliki’s media office and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The national unity government is keen to provide all forms of support to the Palestinians to enable them to establish their independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital…,” the statement quoted Maliki as saying. The statement also quoted Abbas as stressing his authority’s keenness to enhance lines of communication with the Iraqi government. Earlier in the day, an informed source said Abbas arrived in Baghdad on an official visit to Iraq where he is expected to have talks with Iraqi officials on cementing bilateral ties as well as regional and international developments. SS (P) 1