LOC21:22
18:22 GMT
BAGHDAD, Nov 14 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi government said on Monday it was not
currently considering withdrawing its ambassador from Syria, calling to give
more time to implement the Arab initiative in this regard.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told a press conference: "The issue
of withdrawal of ambassadors is a sovereign matter and the government is not
considering it for the time being".
The minister denied media reports circulated by a number of Arab and world
media circles that the Iraqi government was providing financial assistance or
other petroleum-related aid to Syria, adding that trade and economic relations
between the two countries were still persisting.
The minister said that the last decision of the Arab League was "severe",
adding that his country proposed giving the initiative adequate opportunity
and send a fact-finding committee of representatives from the Arab League and
international humanitarian organizations.
He said his country had an important role in the Arab initiative to claim
an immediate end to the killing, violence and armed clashes in cities in
addition to calling for a genuine national dialogue between the government and
the opposition under the umbrella of the Arab League in Cairo. (end)
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KUNA 142122 Nov 11NNNN