BAGHDAD (Rahnuma): Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi met on Monday with a Russian delegation to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments, a statement by Mahdi’s office said.
During his meeting with the Russian delegation headed by Alexander Lavrentiev, President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for Syria, they discussed the situation in Syria and the crisis between the United States and Iran, the statement said.
“The Iraqi-Russian relations are important and should be strengthened for the interest of the peoples of the two countries as well as the region in order to continue the fight against the Islamic State (IS),” Mahdi was quoted as saying in the statement.
He also underlined the importance of cooperation and understanding on various regional issues and urged more work to spare the region the threat of terrorism and the escalation and war.
For his part, Lavrentiev expressed Russia’s keenness to ensure Iraq’s participation in the Astana conference as an observer.
He also asserted the need for the cooperation of the neighboring countries to end the war, combat terrorism and eliminate the remnants of IS militants.
Lavrentiev’s visit came amid escalating tension in the Middle East, as the United States has increased its military activities in the region recently, citing a threat of Iranian attack.
