Baghdad keen to expand trade with Arab states

Ambassadors of the Arab political committee in charge of following up on the Iraqi crisis on Monday held a meeting in Cairo at the headquarters of the Arab League.

They discussed the results of contacts between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid in light of messages exchanged between the two men.

The committee, which comprises the ambassadors of Egypt, Syria, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan, to the AL will discuss results of contacts made by Syria, the current President of the Arab League council, to convene a meeting for the committee in Damascus according to the decision of the Arab foreign ministers during their meeting in Cairo on January 24.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Trade Minister Muhammad Mahdi Saleh stressed his country's desire to expand trade and economic cooperation with all Arab states. Saleh arrived in Cairo earlier in the day to take part in the meetings of the 62nd ordinary session of the social and economic council to be held at Arab League headquarters.