Overcoming sectarianism, troops’ withdrawal key for Iraq’s stability – Moussa

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said on Thursday in Baghdad that the interest and stability of Iraq lies in two main things; overcoming sectarianism and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq. Speaking at a press conference after having met with top Shiite cleric Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Moussa said “we discussed several issues, mainly the president and the future of Iraq and its role in the Arab and Islamic worlds.” The top Arab diplomat said that Iraq has completely changed since 2005, when he last visited the country. Responding to a question from an IraqiNews.com news agency correspondent regarding whether the Iranian role in Iraq and the Arab-Iranian relations were discussed during the meeting, Moussa said, “We have not tackled these issues. There is a tension in the Arab-Iranian relations, but there are many officials who demand to discuss this issue and differences between Arabs and Iranian because as a principle, we are neighbors and brothers and should not be enemies.” He called for overcoming sectarianism which cause chaos in the country, highlighting the importance of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq. Another question from IraqiNews.com news agency on the Baathists and their return to the political life, the Arab diploma said “I listened to the suggestions presented by Iraqi officials regarding the Baathists and there is a significant shift from an orientation to uproot the Baath, to another to attract it.” He considered it an internal Iraqi affair and should be handled within this framework. On Monday (March 16), Moussa arrived in Iraq and met with Deputy Prime Minister Burham Saleh, Defense Minister Abdelqadir Mohammed Jassem, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bulani, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed al-Dulaymi. SH (S)/SR 1