Relations with Arabia must rest on reciprocity – PM’s advisor

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A media adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Saturday said that Iraq seeks to build relations with all Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, on the basis of mutual respect and reciprocity and in line with the foreign policy principles. “”No efforts have been exerted prior to the Doha Arab summit to arrange a meeting between Premier Maliki and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia,” Yassin Majeed told IraqiNews.com news agency. The two leaders normally settled for the protocol handshake, Majeed added. “Iraq wants its foreign relations to be good and positive with the Arab brothers but not out of a weak position as some propagate,” he said, pointing out that these relations have to be resting on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. Commenting on reports that linked a visit by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Rafie al-Issawi to Saudi Arabia and alleged endeavors by Iraq to arrange for a meeting between Maliki and Saudi officials, Majeed replied that Issawi and his family are visiting Saudi Arabia to perform omra (lesser pilgrimage). Issawi’s visit “has nothing to do whatsoever with any arrangements to convene an Iraqi-Saudi meeting, which should take place only via the known diplomatic channels”. AmR (S)/SR 1