|
Iraq says Arab summit to be held on schedule
BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki said on Saturday an Arab League summit would take place as scheduled in Baghdad next month, despite security fears after violence killed at least 60 people this week.Malikis announcement came after Al Qaedas affiliate in Iraq threatened a new wave of attacks against Shia Muslims, whom the Islamist militant group accuses of persecuting Sunni Muslims in post-Saddam Iraq.The summit has been twice delayed by regional turmoil and acrimony between Baghdad and some Sunni Arab Gulf states over Bahrains crackdown on Shia protesters a year ago. Maliki said all Arab countries had agreed to attend the March 29 summit, including 13 kings and presidents. I thank these Arab countries frankly, some of whom said By god, we will go to Baghdad, even if on foot, said Maliki in a speech to Iraqi researchers. Even after the attacks that happened some days ago, their aim was to give a message to prevent the summit from taking place, but thanks be to God, it did not have an effect. Maliki said the Arab League had inspected security measures Baghdad had taken to secure the safety of dignitaries going from the airport to the meeting venue and back, which they highly approved of and were satisfied with. Posted by: Steve White 2012-02-26 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=339746 |