Manama, Amman call for lifting of sanctions on Iraq

Published July 23rd, 2001 - 03:00 GMT

Bahrain and Jordan called Sunday, July 22, for the lifting of the decade-old UN sanctions on Iraq, at the end of an official visit by Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb.

They backed a declaration adopted at the Amman summit of Arab leaders in March that called for a lifting of the embargo while stressing the need for dialogue between Iraq and the United Nations to settle outstanding issues.

Abu Ragheb met Bahrain's emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa, during his visit and also Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, with whom he issued a call for international protection of the Palestinians.

Four accords were signed during his stay, on free trade, boosting economic cooperation, transportation and tourism. Bahrain and Jordan also agreed on the formation of a business council from their private sectors. ― (AFP, Manama)