Spanish official concludes visit to Iraq

The chairman of the foreign relations committee at the Spanish Parliament left Baghdad on Sunday following a four-day official visit during which he held talks with high-ranking Iraqi officials.

In a pre-departure statement, the Spanish official expressed his conviction that it is "now ripe time to rebuild relations between Iraq and the UN Security Council" and that the forthcoming phase should be characterized by "cooperation and confidence."

Meanwhile, the Iraqi daily al-Thawra issued on Sunday quoted the Spanish official as expressing his country's desire to develop relations with Iraq in various fields.

He said the Spanish companies signed contracts at a cost of US $300 million with Iraq in the context of the oil-for-food agreement, adding that the UN sanctions committee ratified contracts worth US $20 million.

Two years ago Spain reopened its embassy in Baghdad following a six-year closure.