Iranian Envoy Hails Baghdad-Erbil Rapprochement
BAGHDAD (Dispatches) -- Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi says Tehran welcomes recent agreements reached between Baghdad and Erbil, which lifted a nearly six-month air blockade imposed on the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Masjedi pointed to recent negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil that led to the resumption of worldwide flights to the Kurdistan region’s two main airports, saying Iran has always stressed the need for dialogue to settle disputes in Iraq.
The diplomat also touched on Tehran’s close relations with all Iraqi tribes and political groups, saying recent agreements between the Baghdad and Kurdish officials were vital to improving the economic situation in various parts of the Arab country.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared last Tuesday that an international flight ban on the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq had been lifted.
The Iraqi premier ordered the reopening of Erbil and Suleimaniya airports for international flights.
The airports were closed after people in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region voted for secession from Iraq in a controversial on September 25 referendum which brought the Arab country to the brink of another conflict.
Iraqi government forces launched a major operation in Kirkuk on October 16 and took control of its oilfields and a strategic military base which pre-empted a wider sedition.
Masjedi pointed to recent negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil that led to the resumption of worldwide flights to the Kurdistan region’s two main airports, saying Iran has always stressed the need for dialogue to settle disputes in Iraq.
The diplomat also touched on Tehran’s close relations with all Iraqi tribes and political groups, saying recent agreements between the Baghdad and Kurdish officials were vital to improving the economic situation in various parts of the Arab country.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared last Tuesday that an international flight ban on the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq had been lifted.
The Iraqi premier ordered the reopening of Erbil and Suleimaniya airports for international flights.
The airports were closed after people in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region voted for secession from Iraq in a controversial on September 25 referendum which brought the Arab country to the brink of another conflict.
Iraqi government forces launched a major operation in Kirkuk on October 16 and took control of its oilfields and a strategic military base which pre-empted a wider sedition.