Jordanian PM Expected to Make First Visit to Iraq in Decade

Published September 20th, 2000 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb might travel soon to Iraq in a first visit to Baghdad in nearly a decade by a head of government, a cabinet member told AFP on Wednesday. 

"We would like the visit to take place as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the month (September)," the official said on condition of anonymity. 

The visit coincides with a request by Jordan to the United Nations asking to re-establish air links with Iraq. 

"We submitted a request to the United Nations to re-establish flights with Iraq and we are awaiting an answer," Jordanian Information Minister Taleb al-Rifai told AFP. 

Baghdad had repeatedly urged Amman to reopen its air space for planes flying to and from Iraq, arguing that a UN trade embargo imposed on Iraq after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait did not apply to passenger flights. 

Abu Ragheb's visit to Iraq will coincide with the renewal of an oil agreement between Baghdad and Amman, which depends entirely on Iraqi oil supplies. 

The prime minister had already visited Iraq shortly after his nomination in June by King Abdullah II to form a new government, a government official has said – AMMAN (AFP) 

 

 

© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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