Iraqi VP Allawi: “Qatar must be completely isolated”

CAIRO – 17 June 2017: “Any country that emerges from the Arab consensus must be completely isolated from Qatar,” Iraq's Vice President Iyad Allawi said about the decision to cut off Arab diplomatic relations with Qatar in a Saturday press conference at the end of his visit to Egypt.

Allawi noted that Qatar should have been confronted at an early date to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the region. He said that Qatar encouraged dividing Iraq into a Sunni and Shitte society, and he declared his rejection of that idea.

He also stressed during the conference that Egypt is indebted to Iraq because of its sacrifices to the Arab and Islamic world. Egypt has big role in the region and he stressed that Iraq will support Egypt. Egypt is the axis of moderation in the region.

“We are ready for a constructive dialogue for the stability of the region in which we are a part,” Allawi added.

Allawi praised relations between Egypt and Iraq, expressing hope to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation on all levels.

The Iraqi vice president arrived on June 14 in Egypt on an official visit with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.