EXTRA: Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki: Arab divisions "harm Iraq"
Doha - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, speaking at an Arab League summit in Qatar on Monday, said that divisions among Arab states "harm Iraq," and called on Arab countries to play a greater role in rebuilding Iraq.
"We call for the adoption of a common Arab strategy based on a partnership of all the Arab family," al-Maliki said. "We are against the policy of alliances which runs against a unified Arab position ... and harms Iraq."
He called on more Arab countries to re-open their embassies in Baghdad and to forgive debts incurred by former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
In a visit to Baghdad earlier this month, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa also called on more member states to re-open their embassies in Baghdad. Many Arab states closed their embassies following the US-led invasion in 2003, citing security concerns. Others temporarily closed their embassies after insurgents targeted them with bomb attacks. (dpa)
