Dubai: This year's Arab summit must be held on Iraqi soil, said Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.
In an interview with Al Sharq Al Awsat on Sunday, Zebari stressed the importance of bringing Iraq back into the Arab arena.
His comments came after a suggestion by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa to shift the summit to another location given Iraq's sensitive security situation.
In a meeting with Moussa, Zebari stressed that Iraq who is hosting the summit this year refuses to hold it in any other place and also insisted that Arab countries must begin to lessen their hesitation over Iraq following the formation of the new government.
Iraqis snub plan to hold summit elsewhere
According to Sharq el Awsat on Sunday, Iraq lawmakers refused a suggestion by the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa to have the next summit in March to be hosted by Iraq but held elsewhere.
Zebari pointed out on Sunday after a meeting with Amr Moussa that his country refuses the idea of having an Arab summit any place other than Iraq when Iraq is presiding the summit.
Zebari stressed on the importance of getting Iraq back to the Arab arena on stability, and said that Arab countries have overcome the phase of anticipation and hesitation after the end of the political tension in Iraq, and the formation of a new government.
He stressed also on the new forms of support, describing Moussa's visit to Baghdad as significant for the new era of government.
And about his priorities as foreig minister, he said: "Security is a top priority, and cooperation with all neighbouring countries, adding his second priority would be finishing up the hanging issues between Kuwait and Iraq and to open a new page."
And on the relations with Iran he said: "There are interventions, violations and disputes on common oil fields, even though Iran is cooperating and we will soon draw on borders."
