Iraq and Russia are opposed to foreign interference in Syria - Premier al-Maliki
NOVO-OGARYOVO, Moscow region. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Russia and Iraq have agreed to make efforts to prevent instigation of outside interference in developments in the Middle East and iSyria, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said.
"We have agreed to avoid such scenarios as far as the settlement of the Syrian crisis without any foreign interference is concerned and to support the mission of the new UN/LAS envoy," he said after talks with President Vladimir Putin.
He stressed that Russia and Iraq reached an understanding "that should amount to seeking and finding a peaceful settlement to the Syrian domestic crisis that would fully satisfy the entire Syrian nation."
Additionally, an understanding was reached at the talks regarding the need to make efforts for the democratic and free development of peoples in the Middle East using peaceful means and "doing the utmost to avert instigation, avoid foreign interference in the affairs of the region and prevent various scenarios of military solutions."
Speaking of his visit to Russia, the Iraqi prime minister said that all the talks "fully reflected the willingness and readiness of both sides to move forward in building up the entire complex of bilateral interaction."
He said progress was achieved in such sectors as oil and gas, investment cooperation, transport and political processes.