KARACHI: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed Islamabad’s desire to enhance cooperation with Iraq, a statement from his office said on Sunday after the country’s parliament elected a new president this week.
Iraq's parliament voted on Saturday to elect Nizar Amidi, a political official with one of the country's two main Kurdish parties, as president five months after a parliamentary election that didn’t produce a bloc with a decisive majority.
Amidi, a member of the political bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, beat out candidates that included Iraq's current Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, who was the pick of the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party.
"The president reaffirmed Pakistan's desire to further strengthen its fraternal relations with Iraq and enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest," a statement from Zardari's office said.
The statement said Zardari expressed confidence that under Amidi's leadership, Iraq would continue its efforts towards stability, progress and national cohesion.
Zardari congratulated Amidi and also conveyed his good wishes for the prosperity of the people of Iraq, the president's office said.
Amidi's election takes place as Iraq suffers the fallout of the US-Israel war against Iran. Iraq was caught in the middle of the war after Iran-backed militias launched attacks on US bases and diplomatic facilities, and critical energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the US and Israel carried out airstrikes targeting the militias, some of which killed members of the Iraqi military.
Iran has effectively closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz route, which has largely halted the oil exports upon which Iraq's economy depends.
