Mubarak, Maliki review preparations for two conferences on Iraq
Egypt-Iraq, Politics, 4/23/2007

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday had important talks with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the latest developments in Iraq, Egypt's efforts for maintaining stability and unity of the Iraqi people, and preparations for the two conference on Iraq which will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh early next month.

Following two sessions of talks, Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Maliki held a press conference in which Maliki described his meeting with President Mubarak as positive in all dimensions.

He said the meeting touched on all aspects of the strong and positive relationship between Egypt and Iraq.

He said the meeting also touched on problems and obstacles hindering those relations.

Maliki said what is taking place in Iraq is not a civil or communal war but rather practices by al-Qaida organization which have provoked feelings in the holy places.

He said these practices are now under full control adding acts of violence in Iraq at the present time are committed by al-Qaida and its allies.

He said things are now under control, adding battle with al-Qaida organization is an open ended one, indicating that al-Qaida is haphazardly killing innocents. He said that the organization is killing Shiites, Sunnis, Christians and Kurds adding this war targets the Iraqi citizens.

He said an agreement was reached on opening the Iraqi doors before highly experienced Egyptian companies to work in Iraq and to contribute to rebuilding and rehabilitation effort there.

Direct meetings would be held among ministers concerned from both sides for developing services and agreements and opening vistas of economic cooperation and investment, Maliki said.

On his part, Nazif Sunday stressed Egypt's support for Iraq to help it bring about peace and stability. He also voiced Egypt's backing of all efforts exerted by the Iraqi government to achieve national reconciliation among all Iraqi factions being a base for realizing stability and development.

Egypt strongly condemns terrorism which does not differentiate between people, foments sedition among all factions of the Iraqi society and hinders efforts exerted to realize national reconciliation, Nazif told the press conference.

Egypt is keen to render successful the two meetings which will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3-4 on Iraq, he said.

An agreement was reached to reactivate cooperation mechanisms between the various Egyptian and Iraqi sectors to help rebuild the war-torn country and promote the development process the Iraqis need to improve services and rebuild the production sector in their country, which he said possesses huge natural wealth and human resources.

Egypt is prepared to place its expertise in all fields at the disposal of Iraq, he pointed out.

Asked about Maliki's visit to Egypt, Nazif said it will help bolster bilateral relations as it reflects Egypt's full support for Iraq not only in the security and political fields, but also in all development domains.

Egypt, at all international forums, calls for preserving Iraq's unity and stability being the basis for achieving development, he told the news conference.

Egypt and Iraq have agreed to work together in all sectors and some Egyptian ministers will meet with their Iraqi counterparts in various fields such as trade, industry and energy to discuss the needs of the Iraqi people, he said.

Maliki said Iraq agreed with Egypt to accelerate the dispatch of Egyptian companies to Iraq to secure and rebuild certain areas.

Also, the two sides agreed to have their ministers meet to agree on economic and political matters, he added.

Maliki said Egypt was chosen as the venue for the International Compact for Iraq conference "because we trust Egypt which stands by the side of the Iraqi government and people and helps in ending the Iraqi crisis."

The second conference for Iraq's neighbors and permanent UNSC members will also convene to take political decisions to support security in Iraq and back its efforts for reconstruction and development, he added.

He expressed hope the two conferences would culminate in effective results serving the interests of Iraq and its people.

Al-Qaida is not only active in Iraq, but in Morocco, Algeria and Nigeria and before that Jordan, he said.

The security plan now being enforced in Iraq has achieved successes, some on the ground and others moral, he added.

Violence, infighting and killings have receded and most practices against civilians and institutions have stopped, he said.

But they have resorted to car bombings against civilians which do not reflect the power of the terrorists or al-Qaida but means they have been unable to confront the security agencies, he added.

Previous Stories:
  Enter-Iraqi dialogue begins in Cairo   (7/20/2006)
  Egypt speaks of importance of not meddling in Iraq's domestic affairs   (7/10/2006)
  Larijani warns against threats in talks with Mubarak   (6/12/2006)

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