Washington, Baghdad Discussed Crisis in Syria, Fighting Terrorism

WASHINGTON,(ST)_ U.S. President Barack Obama  discussed with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki means  to deal with al-Qaeda terrorist organization  in Iraq.

AFP quoted  Obama as saying to reporters after meeting at the White House with Maliki yesterday that  they had discussed  “bilateral coordination to address this terrorist organization, ” pointing out that his country supports the idea of establishing ” a united , democratic and prosperous Iraq .”

Earlier in the day ,  al – Maliki said in a speech before the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington that ” the world  has to maintain dialogue and  unite efforts in order not to  enable al- Qaeda  win  in any country of the world.”

A joint statement issued after the meeting between Obama and al – Maliki  said that “the US and Iraq have agreed on the urgent need to provide  additional equipments for the  Iraqi forces to combat al-Qaeda in remote parts of Iraq.”

The statement confirmed the Iraqi delegation desire to  ” to buy U.S. equipment as a means of strengthening relations with the US for the Long run  and confirmed  commitment to strict adherence  to American laws and rules governing the use of these equipment .”

Zebari , Kerry discussed  crisis in Syria , fighting  terrorism

Meanwhile,  Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and his U.S. counterpart John Kerry discussed  in Washington, the developments of the crisis in Syria and  its grave repercussions on Iraq and the region.

A statement by the Iraqi Foreign Affairs  Ministry read that , “the two sides discussed ongoing    international and Arab  diplomatic efforts to convene  an international conference on Syria , the challenges faced by the Conference and Iraq’s role in achieving peace and stability “,  adding  it was agreed to continue communication and consultation between the two sides .”

“The two sides also discussed several  issues of common concern and stressed the importance of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and al-Qaeda  organization.” The statement added.

T. Fateh