Jordan’s PM visits Baghdad

BAGHDAD: Jordan’s prime minister paid a highly symbolic and supportive visit to Baghdad on Saturday, meeting with Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul Mehdi, his office said.

There were no details of the meeting, but Prime Minister Adnan Badran’s arrival was seen as an attempt to shore up relations between the Arab neighbors. Jordan is a major port of entry for masses of goods and people into Iraq, which had been Amman’s primary source of oil.

Jordan withdrew its ambassador to Iraq shortly after three diplomats - two Algerians and an Egyptian - were kidnapped in July and killed. The terror group al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility.

Insurgents have also fired on diplomats from Pakistan and Bahrain in what police described as apparent kidnap attempts. The Pakistani escaped unharmed and the Bahraini was slightly wounded. After the attacks, the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad relocated its staff to Jordan.

Last month, Jordan nominated an ambassador to Baghdad, and Iraq has accepted the nominee. Jordan delayed sending its new envoy until the Iraqi capital was more secure. ap

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