Algeria Has Never Decided Boycotting Baghdad Summit, Iraqi Ambassador

Algeria has never decided to boycott the Arab League Summit which is due to be held in Baghdad, Iraqi Ambassador to Algeria, Udai Khir Allah said on Saturday.

Mr Khir Allah told a press conference held in Algiers, with members of the Iraqi Investment Council, who are visiting the country to attract Algerian investors, that the Algerian Foreign Minister has denied having uttered such statements.

“Algeria has never decided to boycott Baghdad Summit,” The Iraqi Ambassador said, stressing that “we haven’t even sent invitations, so how can Algeria reject participating before being invited?”

“The reports which conveyed such statements are erroneous, unfounded and irresponsible,” he said

As for the decision of Algeria to erase Iraqi debts, Mr Khir Allah said: “Well, Iraq has called all the countries to douse the debts that Iraq owes to them, and yet Algeria was the first to erase the debts without any protocols or self-calculations.

On another side, the Iraqi diplomat said there are 12 Algerian nationals being detained in Iraq, adding that the two ministers of Justice of both countries are working to settle the issue.