![Fouad Masoum talking to the press [AFP]](/sites/default/files/media/images/C3192601-79A1-4E6C-8DE9-C00AA57C8108.jpg "Fouad Masoum talking to the press [AFP]")
Qatari embassy to reopen in Baghdad
The Iraqi president has announced Qatar's plans to reopen its embassy in Baghdad amid a strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.
2 min read
Fouad Masoum talking to the press [AFP]
Iraqi President Fouad Masoum announced on Wednesday that Qatar will reopen its embassy in Baghdad.
He said the Qatari foreign minister would visit Baghdad in the next two weeks to begin procedures.
The announcement came at a press conference, soon after Masoum met Qatar's emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani to discuss enhancing bilateral relations.
They also agreed on issues such as fighting terrorism and improving bilateral ties.
"We have always maintained friendly relations with Qatar, but because of recent misunderstandings we decided to foster cordial ties and develop our friendship. His Highness was very welcoming and all issues were discussed frankly," Masoum said.
Discussing the Syrian war, the Iraqi president said they agreed on the need for a political solution, and that, if the Assad regime collapsed, the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis) would likely take over Syria - which would be catastrophic for all concerned.
The Iraqi president also talked about Baghdad's relations with Iran.
"We have a common border with Iran, spanning about 1,000 kilometres," he said. "We will not allow our relations with Iran to affect our relations with other countries. We aspire to develop excellent ties with all our neighbours."
Masoum said the reason tribes in Iraq had not been armed to fight IS was because there were not enough weapons in the country. However, Iraq was working with other countries to provide enough weaponry to enable Sunni tribes to fight the IS group.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
He said the Qatari foreign minister would visit Baghdad in the next two weeks to begin procedures.
The announcement came at a press conference, soon after Masoum met Qatar's emir Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani to discuss enhancing bilateral relations.
They also agreed on issues such as fighting terrorism and improving bilateral ties.
 |
We will not allow our relations with Iran to affect our relations with other countries. |
"We have always maintained friendly relations with Qatar, but because of recent misunderstandings we decided to foster cordial ties and develop our friendship. His Highness was very welcoming and all issues were discussed frankly," Masoum said.
Discussing the Syrian war, the Iraqi president said they agreed on the need for a political solution, and that, if the Assad regime collapsed, the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis) would likely take over Syria - which would be catastrophic for all concerned.
The Iraqi president also talked about Baghdad's relations with Iran.
"We have a common border with Iran, spanning about 1,000 kilometres," he said. "We will not allow our relations with Iran to affect our relations with other countries. We aspire to develop excellent ties with all our neighbours."
Masoum said the reason tribes in Iraq had not been armed to fight IS was because there were not enough weapons in the country. However, Iraq was working with other countries to provide enough weaponry to enable Sunni tribes to fight the IS group.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
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