Zebari: Iraq keen on turning over fresh page on Arab-Iraqi relations

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zebari asserted that his country was keen on turning over a fresh page and extending a hand of cooperation to all its fellow Arabs in order to restore Arab-Iraqi ties. Addressing the opening session of the Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting, currently in session here on Sunday, Zebari said the foreign policy of Iraq is based on opening up to all Arab countries and backing all Arab issues as well as showing solidarity with the Arab people and their demands. Iraq has sought to merge with its Arab, regional and international surroundings after it has been isolated under the former Iraqi regime, he said. Iraq had taken historical and firm stances towards the Palestinian issue, Zebari said, adding that Baghdad has backed the peace initiative and the rights of the Palestinian people to freedom and establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Zebari extended his greetings to the Palestinian Authority on attaining the monitoring status and non-member state of the UN, pledging that Iraq will fulfill all its financial commitments towards the Palestinian people.