BAGHDAD // The Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al Maliki, has met with the UAE's ambassador to Iraq, Abdullah al Shehi, to discuss enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries and further afield. The UAE envoy, Mr al Shehi, also held meetings with the speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Iraq's national security adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie. "Visits by Arab officials to Baghdad is a testimony of Iraq's vehement coming back to the Arab fold." Mr al-Rubaie said. The UAE envoy said the resumption of ties between the two countries and trips by UAE officials to Baghdad, had sprung out of the keenness of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to support Iraq in all matters. ''The re-opening of the UAE embassy in Baghdad will tremendously contribute to mirroring the positive image of Iraq internationally and boost security and stability in country,'' Mr al Shehi added. Earlier this year, the UAE became the first Arab nation to post an ambassador in Baghdad since 2005. Last Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi became the most senior Gulf leader to visit Iraq since Saddam Hussein's regime was ousted in 2003. * WAM
