Iraqi PM visit to Cairo stresses Arab roots

CAIRO – 24 March 2019: On Saturday, a meeting took place in Cairo between President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi that focused on boosting security and drying up the sources of terrorism in the region.

Moreover, another meeting is expected to take place today between the Egyptian leader, Jordanian King Abdullah II, and Abdul Mahdi to affirm Iraq’s links with the Arab region.

An Iraqi member of the Parliament, Ala Talabani, said the meeting stresses keenness on asserting Iraq’s bonds with its Arab surrounding.

Talabani also said Abdul Mahdi’s visit to Egypt is of great importance and would significantly boost mutual relations between the two countries.

Abdul Mahdi also said cooperation between Egypt and Iraq will be essential for eradicating terrorism in the region.

This move comes as Iran has been seeking to interfere in the Iraqi internal affairs; last September, protesters have stormed the Iranian consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra and started a fire inside as part of ongoing demonstrations that have turned deadly as at least 10 protesters died in clashes.

Protesters shouted anti-Iran slogans outside the Iranian consulate on Friday evening before storming it and starting a blaze. Smoke could be seen rising from the building. Protesters also burned an Iranian flag.

Many residents accuse Iranian-backed political parties of interfering with Iraqi politics, and some hold them responsible for mismanagement and poor services in the city.