Iraq News Now

Iraqi

Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi met on Wednesday with Abdullatif bin Rashid

Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and his

accompanying delegation.

Zayani is

on an official visit to Baghdad, aimed at discussing means to enhance bilateral

relations in all fields.

During

the meeting, the two sides discussed the future of the relation between Iraq

and the GCC state members, said a statement from the prime minister's media

office.

Abd

al-Mahdi said that Iraq's foreign policy is "serious in establishing best

relations with Arab and neighboring countries, and that Iraq cannot advance

without cooperation and harmony with its Arab arena and its neighbors,"

according to the statement.

For his

part, Zayani said that he "conveys the greetings of the leaders of the GCC

and their political will and sincere intentions to support Iraq and its

government, security, stability and prosperity," the statement said.

Al-Zayani

stressed that "the Gulf leaders have taken a decision on the importance of

strategic partnership with Iraq," it said.