Iraq accepts no interference in internal affairs: FM

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said on Monday that his country will not accept that other states interfered in Iraq's internal affair after a conversation with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier here.

Steinmeier received his Iraq counterpart at Germany's Federal Foreign Office on Monday to talk about the liberation of Mosul, the last major city still occupied by Islamic State (IS) militants, as well as regional conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

Steinmeier stressed that no Shiite militias should be allowed to penetrate into the "core city" during the battle for Mosul.

Al-Jaafari said that he could not name a concrete date for the complete reconquest of Mosul, adding that the army proceed very cautiously out of consideration for civilians.

According to Steinmeier, a joint Stabilization Council for Mosul is already on its way to specify the priorities for the period after the liberation.

With regard to situation in Yemen, Steinmeier regretted the fact that the ceasefire has already become increasingly fragile.

Even in Syria, no major steps towards a political solution were to be expected during the government change in the United States, he added. Endit