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Egyptian FM in Baghdad to boost bilateral ties with Iraq

Xinhua, July 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived in Baghdad on Saturday on an official visit to meet the Iraqi leaders to bolster bilateral ties and show Egypt's support to Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.

Shoukry arrived in Baghdad airport before noon and was received by his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari and the two sides held a meeting in Jaafari's office in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The two ministers discussed bilateral ties and means to enhance cooperation between Baghdad and Cairo, including political and security coordination, according to the statement.

"Any Iraqi victory (against terrorism) is a victory to Egypt and, all the Arab countries and the world, noting that Iraq is confronting international terrorism that targets the whole world," the statement quoted Jaafari as saying.

Jaafari also asserted on the significance of coordination of the two countries in political stances on all Arab, regional and international levels, in addition to bolster security and intelligence cooperation, the statement said.

Shoukry for his part, hailed the latest Iraqi military victories against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, adding that "Egypt supports Iraq's integrity and stability, and is looking forward for further common cooperation between the two countries," according to the statement.

Later in the day, a brief statement issued by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said that Abadi received in his office the Egyptian minister and the two discussed issues of common interest.

Last month, Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari visited Egypt for talks aimed to boosting anti-terror coordination.

Shoukri's visit came after security forces recaptured Fallujah on June 26, following a month of intense battles, while the troops continued their advance in the northern part of Salahudin province to free the remaining areas from IS militants in the northern the province, before attacking the major IS stronghold in the city of Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad.

Iraq has witnessed intense violence since the IS took control of parts of its northern and western regions in June 2014. Egypt, meanwhile, is fighting a Sinai-based militant group loyal to IS regional terror group since 2013. Endit