Abbas Visits Baghdad

Abbas Visits Baghdad, Sees "Great Progress" in Iraq

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas praised Iraq on Sunday for supporting his people, noting that he sees "great progress" in Iraq at all levels.
 
Abbas, on the first visit to Baghdad by a Palestinian leader since the 2003 US-led invasion, held talks with President Jalal Talabani.
  
"We thank the Iraqi government for taking care of our people here," the Palestinian president said at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart. "President Talabani considers this a part of the security of Iraq."
  
Abbas, on his first trip to Iraq, did not comment on the allegations of rights abuses against Palestinians, and instead focused on boosting ties. "We see great progress in Iraq, in democracy and security and all aspects of life," said the Palestinian president, who was later expected to meet Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. "This country has started to recover and is out of danger, and that is important for Arabs and Muslims."
  
Abbas's visit follows that of several foreign leaders, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the German, Kuwaiti and Syrian foreign ministers, as Iraq attempts to rebuild and consolidate its fledgling democracy. The visits reflect improved security since the weakening of a fierce Al-Qaeda-led insurgency by US and Iraqi military operations.
  
Abbas was lined up for a visit to Iraq late last month but the trip was called off without any official explanation.