Upon his arrival in Damascus yesterday for an official visit, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi called for “a new genuine phase of cooperation and coordination” between his country and Syria. Speaking to journalists at Damascus airport, he stated, “We must begin a new fraternal phase of cooperation, coordination, and integration after the end of the dictatorial regime in Iraq, and sovereignty passed to the Iraqi people.”
Alawi arrived in Damascus from Cairo as part of his first official tour since taking office, and he was welcomed by his Syrian counterpart, Naji Al-Otari. He expressed gratitude to Syria for “embracing Iraq and Iraqis during difficult times when we were struggling against the dictatorial regime in Iraq, and Syria played a prominent role” in receiving Iraqi opposition figures.
He expressed confidence in achieving “complete and positive results” through the visit. Allawi held talks yesterday with his Syrian counterpart before meeting with President Bashar al-Assad and Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam today (Saturday). He is expected to depart for Beirut tomorrow.
The discussions between the two sides are anticipated to cover issues related to the security of the common borders and Iraqi funds deposited in Syrian banks.
