Iraqi President Fuad Masum on Wednesday announced that Qatar Embassy in Baghdad will be reopened during a visit by Qatari Foreign Minister Khaled Bin Mohammad Al-Atiyah soon.
Speaking to reporters here, President Masum said: The relations with Qatar are now strong after overcoming some problems in the recent years. We found it is necessary to open all doors for strengthening these ties." He hailed as "positive, candid and cordial" his talks with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, adding that they reviewed almost all bilateral and regional issues.
"Our viewpoints proved to be identical on all issues and I can say that our bilateral ties will be stronger than ever.
"Sheikh Tamim shares my concern over some regional and international issues, foremost among which are the combat against ISIL and the need to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis," President Masum said.
The Qatari leader reaffirmed his country's stance against all forms of terrorism, the Iraqi President disclosed.
"Iraq is keen on maintaining close relations with the State of Qatar and all other countries of the Gulf region in order to serve the common interests in all political, economic and security fields.
"Though Iraqi shoulder the main responsibility for the combat against ISIL, it remains in need of support from friendly countries which share our belief that this terrorist organization poses a trans-border menace," he said, citing Australia as an example.
President Masum noted that some Gulf countries can offer military and financial assistance to his country while others can offer political support.
Asked whether the emergence of ISIL resulted from the purported marginalization of Sunnis in Iraq, he said the number of Sunni victims of this terrorist organization is bigger than those of any other sect in the country.
On the roles of Iran and the United States in his country, the Iraqi leader said the Iraqis "cannot mistrust those who help them," adding that Iran offered essential military and humanitarian aid to Iraq in the combat against ISIL.
Regarding the role of the Iraqi army in the imminent ground operation of the international coalition against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, he ruled out the possibility of the army playing a leading since it undergoes a rebuilding process.
The Shiite popular mobilization units and the Kurdish Peshmerga will join the operation without entering into Sunni areas "to avoid sensitivities," he went on.
President Masum warned that the collapse of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad could lead to a catastrophe, reiterating the call for a political settlement that could enable the Syrian people choose their rulers.
Source: KUNA