Arab representation in Iraq 'low': Al HashimiThe Peninsula -
26 December, 2009
Iraqi Vice President Tariq Al Hashimi said on Thursday that he had constructive talks with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The talks, he said, covered ways of developing bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the developments in Iraq and other issues of mutual concern.
“The talks gave me an impression that Qatar is really supporting Iraq and its people whether they are inside Iraq or living abroad,” Al Hashimi said.
Al Hashimi went on to say: “The role of Qatar in Iraq and the support of the Emir to the Iraqi people, particularly in the current difficult situations, deserve all praise, appreciation and gratitude.”
He expressed confidence that the Emir would be able to help normalise relations between Iraq and the other GCC states and overcome problems.
Al Hashimi said the constructive and fruitful discussions he had with the Emir dealt with the internal situation in Iraq and ways to help the country normalize its ties with the GCC countries as well as Qatar’s role in helping Iraq resolve the challenges that are currently confronting the country.
Asked by Qatar News Agency (QNA) on whether Iraq was satisfied with the Arab support and on his expectation of the Arab summit scheduled for next March, Al Hashimi said his country was dissatisfied with the support provided by Arab States, describing the Arab representation in Iraq as “low”.
Arab States dispatched a small number of diplomatic missions with limited activity when compared to those of European Union and the United States of America, he said.
Al Hashimi expressed his regret regarding the failure of previous Arab summits to attach much importance to Iraq, noting that until this moment no unified Arab stance on how to deal with Iraq was reached during Arab summits.
He said that the security, political and economic challenges that Iraq is facing were beyond its capacity and that the Iraqi people are now looking forward to a unified Arab position that would help them overcome these challenges. “We will be happy when Arab countries reconsider their policies toward Iraq and stand by the Iraqi people,” he added.
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