Zebari: Maliki's Visit to Washington Was Positive

BAGHDAD / NINA / Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari described the results of the visit of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to Washington positive. Zebari said in a press statement published today: The American side promised to provide weapons and equipment to combat terrorism and to increase and deepen security cooperation as well as providing what Iraq's needs of weapons and equipment in the future. He added: There are specific requests that Washington has been responded to, because of the permanent risk of Qaeda and other organizations associated with it. Moreover, there were talks with the Iraqi delegation at all levels about the need to expand political participation, reconciliation and work to build the institutions, and to hold the elections on time next year. On Iraqi participation in the Arab - African summit in Kuwait, he explained that "Iraq will participate in the summit at the level of vice president Khudair Al-Khozai. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had paid an official visit to Washington on Oct. during which he met with U.S. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and members of Congress. The delegation included Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and acting Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi and a number of MPs and advisers. / End