Bagdad to Algiers: we care about the safety of your prisoners

Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim Djaafari said Algeria’s concerns about the safety of its prisoners in Bagdad is “legitimate” and cooperation is still underway.

Asked about the prisoners in Iraq, Djaafari told journalists his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra raised that question in a meeting. “We understand his concerns. We have to stand by his side.”

“We will deal with the issue with Iraqi justice minister,” he added.

Speaking about necessary mechanisms to boost relations, the minister stressed the necessity of opening the Algerian embassy in Bagdad. He talked about previous agreements between the two countries but they are not implemented.

Lamamra said the embassy’s activity will be reactivated. “The Ambassador is there but he travels a lot. There was no decision to close the embassy. This can’t happen.”

Algeria closed its embassy in Bagdad in 2005 as diplomats Belaroussi and Belkadi were killed by Al-Qaeda. The government withdrew its Ambassador Abdelkader Ben Chaa in 2014 due to security situation.

Speaking about economy, Djaafari said he talked with his counterpart about oil issue. “There is a need to put an upper limit to production and to rationalize it. This sector is influenced by supply and demand law.”