Middle East News

Arab League to send Egyptian diplomat to Iraq

Jul 31, 2008, 13:34 GMT

Cairo - Arab League Chief Amr Mussa appointed retired diplomat Hani Khalaf, an Egyptian national, to head the Arab League representation in Iraq, an Arab League statement said Thursday.

The new Arab League ambassador will fly to Baghdad in October, the statement said.

The Arab League office in Baghdad was previously headed by a Morrocan, Mukhtar Yemeni, who resigned in the summer of 2007 over the security conditions in the country. Since then the post has been vacant.

Egypt for its part has not sent a top diplomats to Iraq since the killing of its ambassador there, Ihab al-Sherif, in July 2005, five days after he was kidnapped in Baghdad.

Cairo still has no ambassador in the war-torn country.

But the appointment of Khalaf marked the first time a high-ranking Egyptian official will be based in the country, as a representative of the Arab League, since the July 2005 killing.

Khalaf is a former assistant to the foreign minister and has served as an Arab League envoy elsewhere.

Addressing the issue of safety, Khalaf pointed out his Arab League office is located in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. He also noted the recent ebb in the Iraqi violence.

After the US-led invasion in 2003, Arab countries have refrained from sending diplomats to Iraq. Their action was backed both by the lack of security in the war-torn country and to show their disproval of the US invasion.

In May 2006, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Iraq, Dibba al-Hosn, was also taken hostage for 15 days when a militant group attacked his motorcade killing his Iraqi driver.

While, Iraqi diplomatic ties with Arab countries have been strained, Iraqi officials say they are witnessing a thaw as a result of a 'diplomatic offensive' they have launched.



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

page: 1 

cyclic303Aug 1st, 2008 - 20:11:41

The previous ambassasdor's name was Mukhtar LAMANI, not yemeni.

Report this comment

ali kazemiMay 30th, 2009 - 21:04:59

the previous ambassador was Mokhtar Lamani and he left by pretesting resignation, for the luck of arab vision and not for security reasons since he stayed in Iraq more than one year and he cgoose to live in the red zone and not in the green zone

Report this comment

page: 1 

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Kelly Clarkson: 'I am not Beyonce'

Kelly Clarkson: I am not Beyonce
Original 'American Idol' winner refuses to wear uncomfortable high heels. ... more

Cynthia Nixon marries Christine Marinoni

Cynthia Nixon marries Christine Marinoni
'Sex and the City' actress tied the knot three years after getting engaged. ... more

Cheryl Cole: 'I couldn't be like Rihanna'

Cheryl Cole: I couldnt be like Rihanna
'Call My Name' singer thinks the 'What Have You Been?' star is too blunt. ... more

Elvis Presley's tomb for sale

Elvis Presleys tomb for sale
The chance to be buried in the same tomb where Elvis Presley was originally placed after his death is up for auction. ... more

Bar Refaeli wants to 'marry' Justin Bieber

Bar Refaeli wants to marry Justin Bieber
Bar Refaeli wants to 'marry' Justin Bieber, and also admits having a crush on Tom Cruise. ... more

Chris Brown selling house

Chris Brown selling house
Chris Brown is selling his West Hollywood bachelor pad for £1.8 million, just 15 months after he bought it, following a number of disputes with his neighbours. ... more

Rihanna wants to swap breasts

Rihanna wants to swap breasts
Rihanna wants to 'borrow' her 'Battleship' co-star Brooklyn Decker's boobs. ... more

Justin Bieber loved up with Selena

Justin Bieber loved up with Selena
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez looked 'more in love than ever' on a recent lunch date. ... more

Simon Cowell blasts The Voice

Simon Cowell blasts The Voice
Simon Cowell has taken a swipe at 'The Voice' telling an unsuccessful 'X Factor' contestant to try auditioning for that show instead. ... more

Delta Goodrem opens up about Brian split

Delta Goodrem opens up about Brian split
Delta Goodrem said she 'didn't know how to get out' of her six and a half year relationship with Brian McFadden. ... more