
Al-Khazali and Foreign Minister Stress Need to Intensify Diplomatic Efforts
Baghdad - INA
Secretary-General of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Movement, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed on Thursday the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability.
Sheikh Khazali's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Secretary-General of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Movement, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, visited Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in his office in Baghdad."
He added that "during the meeting, views were exchanged on key international and regional issues, most notably developments in the region, in addition to developments in the Syrian arena and their repercussions on regional security and stability."
According to the statement, the two parties emphasized "the importance of joint coordination in confronting current challenges and the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability and protect national interests."
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