Iraq to reopen its embassy in Libya, restore diplomatic mission
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The Iraqi Foreign Ministry says the decision came in order to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
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Spokesperson of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Ahmed Al-Sahhaf
Baghdad decided to reopen its embassy in Libya and resume diplomatic operations nine years after the mission was suspended, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
"Iraq decided to reopen its embassy in Libya and resume diplomatic work, in order to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, and out of keenness to provide services to the honorable Iraqi community," spokesperson for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Al-Sahhaf, said.
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Three weeks ago, Baghdad sent a delegation to Libya in order to hold talks with the Tripoli government regarding resuming the diplomatic mission in the North African country.
Since 2014, several countries suspended work in their embassies in Tripoli following the eruption of the war in the country.
Earlier in March, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian discussed on the phone with his Libyan counterpart Najla El Mangoush the possible reopening of Tehran's embassy in Tripoli.
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In late March, the 5+5 Joint Military Committee, in charge of the military track of Libyan reconciliation, met with a group of eastern, western, and southern military leaders under the auspices of Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN envoy for Libya.
Bathily called "on all leaders in the east, west, and south to support consolidating peace in Libya," in reference to a national consensus need to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections this year.
The regional leaders agreed with the Military Committee to push the House of Representatives and the High Council panel to pursue the elections.
The next meeting will occur on April 20 in Benghazi.
