BAGHDAD, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi President Fuad Masoum said on Saturday that Iraq will not involve itself in any regional conflict, but will take an active role in resolving differences.
"We are against any external interference in the affairs of the countries in the (Middle East) region," Iraqi NINA news agency quoted Masoum as saying.
"Iraq can contribute to bridging views in the conflicts between the countries of the region through its policy of non-intervention," he added.
Masoum made the comments during the visit of a Saudi Arabian delegation to Iraq, the first of its kind in 28 years due to the deterioration of relations between the two countries after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 under Saddam Hussein regime.
In a statement by his office, the Iraqi president highlighted "the importance of strengthening Iraq's relations with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region on the basis of the need to consolidate the principles of understanding and good co-existence."
"Promoting common interests and the will of security, peace and progress are the guarantors to overcome all the problems experienced by the region under these critical circumstances," he noted.
Earlier in the day, Muayad al-Lami, the head of the Syndicate of Iraqi Journalists, hailed the visit of the Saudi media delegation as "a turning point in deepening the brotherly ties between the two countries."
