EGYPT: Iraq and Syria hold talks in Cairo to ease tensions.

Record ID: 279365

  • Title: EGYPT: Iraq and Syria hold talks in Cairo to ease tensions.
  • Date: 9th September 2009
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (SEPTEMBER 9, 2009) (REUTERS) ARAB LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS CLOSE OF ARAB LEAGUE FLAG SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WALID AL-MOUALEM ARRIVING WITH DELEGATION IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER HOSHIYAR ZEBARI ARRIVING WITH DELEGATION FLAGS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARAB LEAGUE MEETING IN PROGRESS WITH ZEBARI, MOUALEM, TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU AND ARAB LEAGUE SECRETARY
  • Embargoed: 24th September 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Reuters ID: LVACGRPEI9MMOFU16L62C9FN7VY4
  • Story Text: The Arab League seeks to mediate between Damascus and Baghdad after tensions between the two countries escalated recently after Iraq said those responsible for deadly attacks in August were based in Syria.
    Syria and Iraq sought to mend their differences on Wednesday (September 9) at a meeting at the Arab League in Cairo.
    Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moualem and Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiyar Zebari sat down for talks to try and resolve a bitter dispute that has seen Iraq accusing its neighbour of harbouring Iraqi militants responsible for major attacks in Baghdad last month.
    Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa also attended the meeting.
    A war of words have been exchanged ever since Baghdad demanded Syria hand over two former officials from Saddam Hussein's Baath Party they accuse of masterminding bomb attacks outside the Iraqi foreign and finance ministries that caused havoc and left almost 100 people dead.
    Both countries, which only recently have begun to deepen fragile ties, have recalled their respective ambassadors. Iraq has also put thousands of extra police on the Syrian border.
    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called Iraq's accusations 'immoral' and demanded Baghdad provide proof to back them up.
    At home, Maliki's stance appears to have rankled other Iraqi officials as the Presidency Council led by Kurd President Jalal Talabani stressed more should be done to build relations with Syria and such government positions should have sought the council's agreement.
    Rivalries in the Iraqi government are becoming more clear as the country gears up for national elections expected in January.
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