Relations with Syria necessary, al-Sharaa visit premature: Al-Khazaali
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The secretary-general of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq group affirmed that relations with Syria are necessary, while noting that Syria's interim president can't visit Baghdad just yet.
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Qais al-Khazali, the leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 (AP)
Relations between Iraq and Syria are necessary, but it's too early for high-level diplomatic visits, according to Sheikh Qais al-Khazaali, head of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq group in Iraq.
Al-Khazali stated on Saturday evening that maintaining relations between the two brotherly nations is both necessary and mutually beneficial, but indicated that the visit of Syria’s Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Baghdad is premature.
He pointed out that "the arrival of al-Sharaa to Iraq could lead to repercussions if the law is enforced and he is arrested, given that there is an active arrest warrant against him."
"In accordance with the principle of separation of powers, the decisions of the Iraqi judiciary must be adhered to and respected by all," the Iraqi official noted.
A couple of days earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with al-Sharaa in Qatar in the presence of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Syria, Iraq pursue improved bilateral relations
Following their meeting in Qatar on April 18, al-Sharaa and al-Sudani emphasized continued adherence to the principles of national sovereignty and self-determination along with categorical rejection of foreign intervention
The leaders agreed to enhance security and intelligence cooperation to address common challenges such as terrorism and transnational threats, while also turning their attention to economic priorities by focusing on revitalizing bilateral trade, facilitating the movement of people and goods across shared borders, and promoting reciprocal investments.
Through a joint declaration, the two leaders mutually pledged to safeguard their nations' sovereign rights and autonomous governance while categorically opposing all manifestations of foreign intervention or influence.
On April 1, al-Sharaa stressed the significance of opening a new chapter in Syrian-Iraqi relations during a telephone conversation with al-Sudani.
SANA reported that during their a telephone conversation, al-Sharaa and al-Sudani jointly stressed the importance of deepening Syrian-Iraqi relations through coordinated efforts to confront regional crises and reduce tensions.
In mid-March, Syria’s interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, visited Iraq, marking his first trip to the country since the offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad.
During his visit to Baghdad, al-Shibani held talks with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, according to the official Iraqi News Agency.
During a joint press conference, al-Shibani expressed Syria's readiness to "reinforce cooperation" with Iraq in combating the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
