IRAQ | Foreign Affairs

[iraqidabab]

Originally Posted by alshawi1234

3000 soldiers can't "secretly" come into Iraq. Whether by air or land, it wouldn't be hard to spot them.

It is from Press TV, Iranian propaganda.

[sheytanElKebir]

If you guys had kept abreast of the military news you'd know that Iraq and the US are carrying out joint training exercises regularly at Besmaya and other army training sites involving Iraqi and US forces.

nothing secret about it. it was in the army newspaper a month or two ago!

[Sinjar]

Oman relations with South Africa, Iraq, Thailand discussed

Tue, 11 December 2012

MUSCAT — Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, received separately in his office here yesterday Yousef Saloojee, South African Ambassador to the Sultanate and Moez Khadim Salman al Nouh, Ambassador of Iraq to the Sultanate to bid them farewell at the end of their tours of duty as their countries' ambassadors to the Sultanate.

During the meetings, cordial conversations were exchanged. The meeting reviewed the bilateral relations between the Sultanate and their countries. The two ambassadors expressed their thanks for the co-operation they received during the period of their work in the Sultanate, which has enabled them to carry out their duties. Sayyid Khalid thanked the two ambassadors for the good efforts they exerted, which contributed in enhancing the relations between the Sultanate and their countries.

Sayyid Khalid also received in his office Dr Pornchai Danvivathana, Ambassador of Thailand to the Sultanate. During the meeting, cordial conversations were exchanged. The meeting also reviewed the bilateral relations between the Sultanate and Thailand and means of enhancing them in various spheres. —

ONA

[Sinjar]

Jordan, Iraq increase energy trade


Oil transported by trucks is unloaded at a Jordanian refinery. [Salah Malkawi/AFP]

2012-12-10 By Ali al-Rawashdah in Amman

Jordan and Iraq are taking steps to increase the volume of trade between the two countries, particularly in the energy sector, economists said.

Jordan currently imports around 10,000 barrels of crude oil a day from Iraq – 10% of its demand – at $18 a barrel less than the global price. The oil is brought to Jordan in tanker trucks operated by a coalition of Jordanian transport companies.

Last month, the trucks transported around 300,000 barrels of Iraqi oil to Jordan, Nael al-Thiabat, a spokesperson for Al-Thiabat and Al-Zoubi Trade and Transportation Coalition told Al-Shorfa.

Al-Thiabat said he expects the quantity of oil transported from Iraq to increase to 15,000 barrels per day – 15% of Jordan's demand – under the provisions of a new Iraqi-Jordanian agreement.

The memorandum of understanding signed in September during Iraqi Oil Minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi's visit to Jordan, calls for co-operation in the field of crude oil and natural gas, and raises the quantity of Iraqi oil imported to Jordan to 15,000 barrels per day, with the possibility of increasing this amount to 30,000 barrels.

The two sides agreed to co-operate to supply Jordan with its crude oil needs; build a pipeline to transport crude oil from Iraq to Jordan to meet its needs of liquefied petroleum gas and heavy fuel oil, as available; supply Jordan with natural gas; export natural gas through the kingdom; and study geological structures common to both countries.

"The coalition is prepared to transport up to 30,000 barrels per day in the event the two governments agree on a work programme to that end," al-Thiabat said. "It is also prepared to transport the entire quantity of oil that the Iraqi government granted Jordan, estimated at 100,000 barrels."

The Iraqi government announced on November 27th a decision to grant 100,000 barrels of crude oil to Jordan "to help the Jordanian people overcome the difficulties they currently face", according to Ali al-Musawi, media advisor to the Iraqi government.

SIGNIFICANT TRADE EXCHANGE

"The obstacles impeding the supply of Iraqi oil to Jordan are strictly logistical, and include the high cost of transporting oil in tanker trucks, which can be as high as $50 per tonne," economist Abdul Moneim al-Zoubi told Al-Shorfa. "This reduces the savings Jordan realises from the $18 discount on the price per barrel approved by the Iraqi government."

According to earlier statements by Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Alaa al-Batayneh, after transportation costs are factored in, the net discounted value is $5 per barrel.

Nevertheless, al-Zoubi said, "the horizons are open for economic co-operation between Jordan and Iraq based on what has been achieved in the past few years, with a volume of trade exchange between Jordan and Iraq estimated at more than $1.4 billion annually."

The Jordanian Department of Statistics reports the total revenue from Jordanian exports to Iraq during the first three quarters of 2012 at 615 million dinars ($870 million), while the value of goods and services imported from the Iraqi market was 100 million dinars ($140 million).

Yousef Haidar, of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce, said "Jordan and Iraq have the potential to further strengthen the trade and investment ties between them."

Haidar welcomed the prospect of an oil pipeline between the two countries, saying it would provide the means to supply Jordan with all its oil needs – estimated at 5 billion dinars ($7 billion) a year.

Iraq's grant of 100,000 barrels of oil to Jordan underscores the special relationship between the two countries, he added.

[Sinjar]

Basra’s governor to visit U.S.

By Basem al-Rikabi

The governor of the southern Province of Basra Khalaf Abdulsamad is visiting the U.S. this week for talks with American firms willing to invest in Iraq.

Basra is currently Iraq’s most promising province for foreign entrepreneurs. In addition to federal government allocations, the province has its own budget which it draws from the so-called petro-dollar project.

Under the project, Iraqi provinces are entitled to $2 for each barrel of oil produced from their oil fields. Currently most of Iraq’s oil output 3.3 million barrels of oil a day originate in Basra.

The province is the scene of some of the world’s largest oil development projects, with foreign majors working on new oil fields with proven reserves estimated at billions of barrels.

Iraq is witnessing unprecedented growth rates estimated at more than 10% of GDP, surpassing China as the world’s fastest growing nation.

Most of the growth is attributed to higher oil sales which last year generated royalties of more than $100 billion.

Basra is in need of large investments mainly to upgrade its run-down infrastructure. But the province is keen to lure U.S. majors to invest in oil-related industries.

Iraqi-U.S. trade relations are booming and value of Iraqi exports to America, mainly oil, reached $17 billion last year.

Oil is currently Iraq’s major foreign cash earner and the country imports heavily to meet its industrial and agricultural needs.

Most of Iraqi imports originate in neighboring countries, particularly Turkey and Iran, as well as China and other Southeast Asian states.

Iraq’s federal system of government allows different provinces to pursue their own development plans and governor Abdulsamad’s visit to the U.S. is specifically to explore ways of increasing imports from the U.S. and urge U.S. firms to directly implement infrastructure projects.

[Sinjar]

Bulgaria to Open Iraq Embassy in January

Diplomacy | December 11, 2012, Tuesday

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov has pledged that his country will open an embassy in Iraq in January, said senior Iraqi parlamentarian Humam Hamoudi.

This has been agreed during an official visit to Sofia by the influential Shiite poltician, who was pivotal in drafting Iraq's constitution and now chairs the Iraq' parliament's Foreign Relations Committee.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Tuesday, Hamoudi stressed that Iraq and Bulgaria need to boost bilateral relations.

In particular, he argued that with an ongoing stabilization and increased oil revenue under way, Iraq is turning into an ever more attractive destination for Bulgarian investments.

"Iraq is very interested in Bulgaria's experience in the health sector, in agriculture and irrigation. And we have many Iraqi students who have graduated in Bulgaria," added Hamoudi.

He stressed that the security situation in his country is steadily improving, and that all acts of violence are isolated and not directed against foreign companies and individuals.

"Very much like Bulgaria 20 years ago, Iraq is a country in transition, and stability is only gradually achieved," commented Hamoudi.

[Ali_as]

Originally Posted by Sinjar

Jordan, Iraq increase energy trade

**

Iraq's grant of 100,000 barrels of oil to Jordan underscores the special relationship between the two countries, he added.

Can someone tell me why we are deciding to give them 100k - that's quite a lot. Saddam already did that during the 90s when Iraqis were starving.

Why do we have this 'special relationship' with Jordan? Why do we feel we have to give them free oil? Surely they could get it from the GCC which they will be joining so soon?

[Spin Cycle]

Originally Posted by Ali_as

Can someone tell me why we are deciding to give them 100k - that's quite a lot. Saddam already did that during the 90s when Iraqis were starving.

Why do we have this 'special relationship' with Jordan? Why do we feel we have to give them free oil? Surely they could get it from the GCC which they will be joining so soon?

Yes I'd also like to know what we get from Jordan in this "special relationship"...I mean besides Abu Musab Zarqawi and the like of him.

[Alulim]

Originally Posted by Spin Cycle

Yes I'd also like to know what we get from Jordan in this "special relationship"...I mean besides Abu Musab Zarqawi and the like of him.

We give oil, get in return extremists.


Good deal!

[iraqidabab]

we should steal kuwaiti oil and give it to Jordan just to piss them off

[Ali - Iraq]

Iraq to Pay Kuwait $500 Million in Few Days to End Air Dispute
By Khalid Al-Ansary
december 12, 2012 5:37 AM EST
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Iraq will pay Kuwait Airways Co. $500 million compensation in a few days to settle a debt dispute, allowing Iraqi Airways to start flights to Europe for the first time since 1990, an Iraqi airline official said.
Iraqi Airways will operate flights to the U.K. and Frankfurt by the end of January after state-run Kuwait Airways drops its legal claims against the carrier, Saad al-Khafaji, director general of Iraqi Airways, said in an interview today. The Iraqi airline is also negotiating routes to Kuala Lumpur, he said in Baghdad.
Kuwait in October endorsed by decree a deal reached with neighboring Iraq in July to settle the financial dispute “and stop litigations in this regard,” the state-run KUNA news agency reported at the time.
Kuwait Airways, being prepared for sale, has been seeking $1.2 billion in compensation for 10 aircraft taken during former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The Kuwaiti airline won a U.K. court order to freeze the Baghdad- based airline’s global assets on April 25, 2010, the same day an Iraqi Airways flight landed in London for the first time in 20 years.
Iraqi Airways plans to start a three-year program in 2013 to train at least 500 pilots, according to al-Khafaji. The carrier also plans to build the biggest air training and development institute in the region, and awarded a 30.9 billion- dinar ($26.5 million) contract to Romanian and United Arab Emirates companies as part of a joint venture to build the facility, he said. Boeing Co. (BA) will have a stake in the institute, al-Khafaji said, without disclosing the size.

[Ali - Iraq]

Diplomat: Iran-Iraq Trade Ties to Surpass $12bln
TEHRAN (FNA)- The value of the trade ties between Iran and Iraq will exceed $12bln this year thanks to the two countries' growing cooperation, a senior Iranian diplomat announced on Thursday.




Iran's exports to Iraq worth some $11 billion last year and the figure is expected to exceed $12 billion this year, Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danayeefar said in a meeting with a group of Iranian and Iraqi entrepreneurs in Tehran.

He also said that Iraq's free economy has created a suitable room for the country's exporters to play key roles in the world markets and the opportunity should be seized by Iranian companies to present their products to that country.

Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, in 2003.

Both sides are working on a series of plans to take wide strides in expanding their ties, in economic fields in particular.

Iranian energy officials said in September that the country will start supplying natural gas to neighboring Iraq by the summer of 2013.

Head of the National Iranian Gas Company Javad Oji said Iran has completed more than 25 percent of a pipeline to Iraq that could carry up to 25 million cubic meters per day of its natural gas to Iraq.

[Sinjar]

Iran’s Iraq Ambassador: We Will Try to Stop Escalation of Erbil-Baghdad Crisis

By HEVIDAR AHMAD 14/12/2012

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danaifar said in an interview with Rudaw that “logic and talks” were the only way to resolve the current crisis between Erbil and Baghdad, over troop deployments in the disputed territories. He added that Iran was talking to all sides for a peaceful resolution, and would try to prevent escalation of the crisis. Commenting on Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is locked in a civil war with opposition forces, Danaifar said that the only solution to the crisis is “a non-military one.” Here is his interview with Rudaw:

Rudaw: Iran is Iraq’s largest neighbor. For Tehran, how important are relations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region?

Hassan Danaifar: As Iraq’s neighbor, we value its security and stability. We wish national accord for Iraq, and progress in terms of building and reconstruction. We do not support any move that would harm Iraq’s peace, and will do our best to protect peace and national unity in Iraq.

Rudaw: What do you think about the current crisis in Iraq?

Hassan Danaifar: Since Iran has ties with all groups in Iraq and at all levels, we will try to prevent further escalation of the situation. We are currently advising the involved parties in the crisis to resort to logic and talks, because these problems can only be resolved this way.

Rudaw: Have you ever expressed your concerns over the policies of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, which led Iraq to the current explosive situation?

Hassan Danaifar: We see this as a domestic Iraqi issue. Without mentioning names or referring to groups directly, we and all regional countries must work toward the stability and peace of our countries. The best way to solve these issues is to create the suitable atmosphere for talks and dialogue, and there is no alternative to this.

Rudaw: Can you comment on Maliki’s warnings of a Kurdish-Arab war, which he mentioned twice in one week.

Hassan Danaifar: We talk to all sides and always say the same thing, which is the need to resort to dialogue for solving these issues. We strongly reject all other manners or statements.

Rudaw: There was a campaign (in Parliament) to withdraw confidence from Maliki in Iraq, where some groups -- including Kurdish ones -- chose not to side with these efforts. It is said that they chose this stance due to their relations with Iran.

Hassan Danaifar: Fortunately, Iran has good relations with all groups in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. We do not accept claims suggesting that some groups have stronger ties with Iran than others. All Iraqi groups, whether Kurdish or non-Kurdish, are close to Iran and have brotherly relations with us. Your question is more related to intra-party relations in Iraq. As you know, different Iraqi parties might disagree on a certain issue. Political parties do not take permanent decisions and their policies change over time. This is the nature of politics.

Rudaw: How do you see the future of Kurdish-Arab relations in Iraq, in light of the current situation?

Hassan Danaifar: Iraq has sacrificed greatly in order to have its current Constitution. All Iraqis, from the north to the south, have sacrificed in order to have a constitution written with their say. For this reason, the Constitution is the beacon, and all these issues are addressed in it. We can see the future of all Iraqis through the Constitution.

Rudaw: Ten days ago Sardar Qasim Soleimani (commander of Iran’s elite Qods Forces) visited Erbil. What was the reason for the visit?

Hassan Danaifar: Iranian officials are always working to solve the issues in Iraq by holding discussions with Iraqi officials, and bringing about a suitable atmosphere for talks. This is because Iraq is our neighbor and we have friendly ties with all its components, which all know and accept Iran's way of dealing with this matter.

Rudaw: Why was the visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Baghdad cancelled? Is it true that he was also due to visit the Kurdistan Region?

Hassan Danaifar: The visit was postponed, but he will surely make the visits soon.

Rudaw: One week ago you met with the Iraqi president. Did you have any proposal for him after his return to Baghdad?

Hassan Danaifar: This meeting had many goals. One was to coordinate with the Iraqi president for the visit of the Iranian president. It was also a courtesy call after his return to Baghdad, and we discussed the current issues between Baghdad and Erbil. We also set a date for the visit of the Iranian president to Iraq, and expressed the willingness of Iran to offer all the help it can to solve the current crisis in Iraq.

Rudaw: Do you believe that the Syrian regime is close to collapse?

Hassan Danaifar: We as the Iranian government have always maintained that what is important and crucial in a country is its nation. The governments in this region must rule their nations through democratic systems, and this is our view concerning Syria... We frankly condemn all forms of violence and killing from all sides. We are against the bloodshed in Syria. We hope it will end soon, and that the people of Syria will decide the future of their country with the help of peacemakers in the region.

Rudaw: Does your country have any ties to the Syrian opposition?

Hassan Danaifar: There was a meeting of the Syrian opposition in Tehran lately. The number of participants was interesting. They discussed the means for a quick end to the crisis in Syria. No doubt, there are many opposition groups in Syria that do not believe in what is taking place in Syria and appose war and killings. A great number of the attendants in that meeting in Tehran were from such a group. They believe that the only solution to the crisis in Syria is a non-military one.

[Ali - Iraq]

Politics
Iraq continues to pay five percent of oil revenues to Compensation Fund -- Ban
15/12/2012 | 09:24 AM | Gulf News

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- Governing Council of the UN Compensation Commission noted Iraq's commitment to meeting its obligations, and expressed its satisfaction with continued transfers of five per cent of Iraq's oil revenues to the Compensation Fund under the oversight of the Iraq Committee of Financial Experts (COFE), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.
Ban, in a report to the Security Council late on Friday, said the average monthly income to the Compensation Fund since July 2012 has amounted to approximately USD 386 million as compared to USD 368 million for the first half of the year.
Since late June, the Compensation Commission has made two payments to Kuwait totaling almost USD 2.4 billion. The first was made on 26 July 2012 and the second on October 25, 2012.
The overall amount of compensation made available to date by the Commission is USD 38.8 billion. Approximately USD 13.6 billion remains outstanding to two oil sector claims which were awarded compensation for damages to Kuwait's oil field assets - oil wells, pipelines and related equipment - and associated production and sales losses.
Based on current levels of income to the Fund and recent projections, the report said, it is still estimated that the Commission will pay the outstanding balance in full by April 2015.
The Commission pays compensation to individuals and companies that suffered during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. The report stated that although Baghdad is making progress with regard to the installation of oil metering systems, the audit report contains a qualified opinion as the auditors, Ernst Young, were not able to reliably determine the volume of all quantities extracted and pumped to export terminals in the absence of a comprehensive metering system.
"While noting the issues raised in the audit report, based on current levels of income to the Compensation Fund and the Governing Council's satisfaction therewith, I am pleased to note that the Government of Iraq remains committed to complying with its obligations" under relevant resolutions, Ban said, expressing "my ongoing appreciation to the Government of Iraq and the Iraq (COFE) for their continued cooperation with the Compensation Commission." (end) sj.rk KUNA 150924 Dec 12NNNN

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[Ali - Iraq]

Iranian President Ahmadinejad to visit Iraq in December: Envoy

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:56AM GMT
0


Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaeifar says Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans to visit Iraq later this month.


Danaeifar said on Saturday that Ahmadinejad will visit Baghdad in order to hold talks with senior Iraqi officials.

The Iranian ambassador added that Ahmadinejad will also meet with members of Iraqi factions and sects, and visit Iraq's holy shrines where Shia Imams and their descendants have been put to rest.

Danaeifar said Iranian Minister of Energy Majid Namjoo also plans to visit Iraq after Ahmadinejad’s trip to Baghdad.

Ahmadinejad will also leave Tehran for the Turkish city of Konya on Monday to attend a ceremony to commemorate Persian poet mystic Mowlavi.

Director General for International Affairs at Iran's Presidential Office Mohammad Reza Forqani said the Iranian president would hold talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the ceremony.

Iran has always attached particular significance to enhancing ties with neighboring countries based on mutual respect.

MYA/HJL/MA

[Ali - Iraq]

Politics
Kuwait ready to help Iraq address Kuwaiti prisoners'' remains, properties -
16/12/2012 | 11:08 PM | Kuwait News

FM KUWAIT, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- Kuwait is ready to help Iraq address the issue of remains of Kuwaiti prisoners and Kuwaiti properties to quickly close this file, a senior government official said Sunday.
"Kuwait has been flexible in helping Iraq exit from Chapter VII (of the UN Charter) and is ready to offer assistance for the Iraqi side to finalize the issue of remains of Kuwaiti prisoners and Kuwaiti properties to speed up the closure of this file," Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah told reporters on sidelines of a reception by Bahrain Embassy on occasion of the Gulf Kingdom's 41st Independence Day.
Kuwait, he said, asked the UN to expand the mandate of UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) to include the search for Kuwaiti properties and remains of prisoners.
UNAMI's mandate can be expanded as the term of Gennady Tarasov, UN high-level Coordinator for missing Kuwaiti and third country nationals and of missing Kuwaiti property, expires later this month.
Sheikh Sabah said Iraq has honored many international obligations with little remaining to be met.
Kuwait is ready to provide assistance for Iraq to speed up the resolution of the file of remains of Kuwaiti prisoners, Kuwait national archive and properties.
Asked about His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah's visit to Iraq, Sheikh Sabah said Kuwait and Iraq were preparing 10 cooperation agreements, and "once these agreements are ready, His Highness the Prime Minister will visit Iraq in return of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's visit to Kuwait last March." Sheikh Sabah said members of Kuwait-Iraq joint committee would be meeting during the first quarter next year. (end) kt.bs KUNA 162308 Dec 12NNNN

[Ali - Iraq]

WIRE NEWS

India, Iraq should fight the menace of terrorism: Meira Kumar
17 Dec 2012, 11:06 PM
New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) India and Iraq should fight against the menace of terrorism as both the countries are its victims, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar stressed when a Parliamentary delegation from Iraq called on her today. The delegation was led by the President (Speaker) of the Council of Representatives, Parliament of Iraq, Osama Abdul-Aziz-Mohamd AI-Nujaefi. During the meeting here, Kumar stressed the need for increasing people-to-people contacts between India and Iraq and reiterated India's deep commitment in the reconstruction of Iraq. The Speaker also offered India's assistance in sharing the expertise in parliamentary practices and procedures with Iraq. "Both India and Iraq should fight against the menace of terrorism together as both the countries are victims of terrorism," Kumar said. Observing that bilateral relations between Iraq and India have been traditionally friendly and warm and there have been regular cultural interactions and economic trade since time immemorial,

[Ali - Iraq]

The Iraqi army says it has thwarted efforts by militants to smuggle weapons into Syria as well as an attempt by men from different nationalities to infiltrate the neighboring country.


“We have confiscated many weapons terrorists intended to dispatch to so called ‘Free Syrian Army’ in order to aggravate the situation in Syria. We have seized a great number of Kalashnikovs”, Lieutenant Colonel Sadeq Rissan said.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s head of the 15th border security Brigade, Colonel Saleh Jalu Mur’i said the army has “arrested infiltrators from different nationalities on the Iraqi and the Syrian side of the border in addition to heavy weapons”.

Iraqi military officials responsible for border security say the forces along the Iraqi-Syrian borders are not sufficient to stop smuggling and infiltration attempts.

“Our numbers are not enough however this is what we can afford in the current situation....Despite all of this we have to do our utmost best to guard these borders even if the number of personnel is not enough”, Rissan added.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the turmoil.

The Syrian government has repeatedly said that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and that a very large number of the militants operating in the country are foreign nationals.

A recent UN report has revealed that militants from 29 countries have so far filtered into Syria to fight against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, most of whom are extremist Salafists.

PG/HGH
8 6
118

[Sinjar]

Iraq moves towards agreement over Libyan prisoners

Tripoli, 21 December:

Iraq’s cabinet has taken steps to ratify a deal with Tripoli concerning Libyans currently serving prison sentences in Iraqi jails, Libyan news agency LANA reported.

The decision, which was taken yesterday, could allow Libyans in Iraqi jails to serve out the rest of their sentences in their home country.

Iraq’s chargé d’affaires in Tripoli, Khaled Ibrahim, said that the Iraqi cabinet had issued a decree authorising the Iraqi Minister of Justice to negotiate and sign the deal with Libya over the prisoners.

Families of those detained in Iraq have repeatedly asked the General National Congress to take steps to secure their return to Libya.

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said that he wanted to “reassure the families of the prisoners in Iraq that the government will not overlook the matter.”

Most Libyans in Iraqi jails have been detained for bearing arms against government and coalition forces during the period after the US invasion in 2003.

Six Libyans are currently understood to be on death row in the country for terrorism-related offences, although Zeidan said that Iraqi PM Nuri Al-Maliki had telephoned him to postpone the execution of one Libyan, Adel Al-Shaalali, earlier this month.

[Sinjar]

A Delegation of Jordanian Business Leaders Head to Iraq to Enhance Exports

(MENAFN Press) Irbil, December 11th, 2012

A high level business delegation of 42 Jordanian business leaders met in Irbil earlier this week with their Iraqi counterparts in Iraq in an effort to promote trade and boost Jordanian exports to the neighboring country.

The two day visit was organized by Capital Bank, the fourth largest bank in Jordan in terms of capital and the only Jordanian bank in Iraq, in cooperation with its partner in Iraq; National Bank of Iraq. During its visit, which was the first of its kind to be organized by the Bank in Iraq, the Jordanian delegation met with members from the Chamber of Commerce in Kurdistan and a group of Iraqi business leaders in Irbil. Several visits are planned to be organized by the Bank for other groups of Jordanian businessmen and exporters to Baghdad and Basra soon.

Chairman of Capital Bank and former Minister of Finance, Mr. Bassem Khalil Assalem said during the dinner banquet held by the Bank: "Iraq has always been the largest and most significant trade partner for Jordan; this is clearly manifested in the long lasting trade relationships between exporters and businessmen in both countries. We are honored here at Capital Bank and at our partner National Bank of Iraq to be the first to organize such visit which will pave the way for further cooperation opportunities and cement distinct relations between the two parties".

Mr. Assalem added that Capital Bank presence in Iraq is considered to be significant as its share reaches to 73% of the operating capital in National Bank of Iraq. He stated that this presence provides Jordanian businessmen with an added value to work in Iraq and enjoy safe channel to expand in the Iraqi market on one hand, and offers a bridge that links Iraqi people residing in Jordan with their business in their homeland on the other hand.

He also talked about Capital Bank's relentless efforts to develop new relationships with all companies looking to develop their business in Iraq. This will be achieved “ he said “ through facilitating transactions between Capital Bank and National Bank of Iraq by granting its clients in Jordan and Iraq a full range of services.

Chairman of the Investment Committee in Kurdistan, Mr. Hersh Muharram met with the Jordanian delegate and delivered a speech where he expressed his wishes to have more Jordanian manufacturers operating in Irbil. He also pointed out that his government encourages the establishment of an industrial zone dedicated for Jordanian factories and managed by a Jordanian committee in an attempt to promote Jordanian goods in the area.

On the sideline of the businessmen meetings, Capital Bank and National Bank of Iraq Board of Directors held meetings where they discussed future plans and opportunities available to extend operations of the two banks.

Capital Bank and National Bank of Iraq provide investors in the Jordanian and Iraqi markets with a wide range of services. Accordingly, investors can finance their commercial operations, use and send all types of transfers and manage their accounts. Moreover, investors can benefit from the trading and investment consultation services provided by Capital Investments.

In light of the booming commercial activity between the Jordanian and Iraqi markets, it is particularly important to make these banking services available and effective in the two markets. Iraq now tops the Arab countries list in terms of the value of Jordanian exports which reaches a billion dollars annually.

This meeting is part of the continuous endeavors and initiatives launched or participated by Capital Bank. Another key meeting was the one held with the Exporters Association and the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan where interested business leaders from Jordan and Iraq met to discuss efficient ways to seize and develop export and investment opportunities in Iraq.