Jordanian King Abdullah II held talks on Monday with the Iraqi prime minister after arriving in Baghdad for a four-hour unannounced visit — the first by an Arab head of state since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Abdullah called on Arab governments to “extend their hand to Iraq” because a strong Iraq “is a source of strength for the Arab nation,” a statement released by the royal palace in the Jordanian capital of Amman said.
An Iraqi government statement said Abdullah had “frank and positive talks” with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on relations between the two countries. Al-Maliki told the king that Iraq wanted to improve relations with all Arab countries, it said.
PHOTO: EPA
In turn, Abdullah expressed Jordan’s support for Iraqi “efforts to impose stability,” the Iraqi statement said.
Relations between the two neighboring countries had been strained since the fall of Saddam’s government because of Jordanian fears that Iraq’s Shiite-led government was too friendly with Shiite-dominated Iran.
Monday’s visit had not been announced. An earlier trip set for last month was canceled because Jordanian officials did not want any advance publicity.
Iraqi officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of Jordanian sensitivities, said the visit lasted only four hours and the king left ahead of the announcement.
US officials had been urging Abdullah to visit Iraq to bolster ties between the two countries as part of Washington’s campaign to shore up support for the Iraqi government as a counterweight to Iranian influence.
Jordanian officials have also been concerned about Iranian influence in Iraq and the loss of discounted oil, which Saddam once provided. Abdullah warned in 2004 about the emergence of a “Shiite crescent” including Iran, Iraq and Lebanon — remarks that angered Iraqi officials.
Al-Maliki visited Jordan in June for the first time in nearly two years, and since then, the two nations appear willing to put their differences behind them. During that visit, al-Maliki agreed to renew oil supplies to Jordan for the next three years at discounted prices.
Jordan agreed to ease restrictions on the entry of Iraqi students and those transiting to a third country. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have sought refuge in Jordan to escape the sectarian violence that swept the country two years ago but has since receded.
Jordan has also named an ambassador to Iraq, joining other Arab countries that have agreed to upgrade their relations as the Iraqi government becomes more stable and security has improved — despite sporadic attacks and ongoing military operations.
The Jordanians maintained an embassy in Baghdad — but without an ambassador — even though the compound was attacked in August 2003 in the first car-bombing of the Iraq war.
Iraqi officials have been anxious to improve their ties with their Arab neighbors now that the government’s confidence has risen with improvements in security.
On Monday, about 250 Iraqi refugees were flown home from Egypt free of charge aboard the prime minister’s personal plane in what Iraqi officials said was an affirmation of improved security.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Qassim al-Moussawi said such flights would continue “in order to fetch all families that wish to come back.”
Nevertheless, insurgent attacks continue although at a much lower level than in recent years.
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