Iraqi, Syrian foreign ministers discuss bilateral ties, security in phone call

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a phone call Monday with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shibani to discuss bilateral relations and coordination on issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Iraqi foreign ministry.

The statement said that Hussein began the call by congratulating Al-Shibani on assuming his new role as Syria's foreign minister. He expressed gratitude for Syria's efforts in ensuring the safety of the Iraqi diplomatic mission in Damascus and stressed Iraq's commitment to fully restoring its diplomatic staff to Syria.

Al-Shibani reaffirmed Syria's dedication to the security of the Iraqi mission, highlighting the mutual respect and collaboration between the two nations.

The discussion touched on a range of shared interests, with both ministers emphasizing that the stability and security of Iraq and Syria are intrinsically linked. Al-Shibani remarked that “Iraq's safety and security are integral to Syria's own stability,” according to the statement.

This call is part of a series of regional and international delegations arriving in Syria to meet with the new leadership following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio