File photo of Barham Salih. (Photo: VCG)
BAGHDAD, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the UN Security Council (UNSC) paid a visit on Saturday to Baghdad to hold talks with Iraqi leaders to support Iraq's security, stability and reconstruction efforts.
A statement by Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said that Mahdi received UNSC representatives in his office, where he "thanked the council's support for Iraq, and asserted that sacrifices of the Iraqis and their victory over Islamic State deserve greater support for reconstruction efforts."
UNSC representatives praised the Iraqi government's balanced policy, the statement said.
Later in the day, Iraqi President Barham Salih received Kuwaiti Permanent Representative to the UN Mansour al-Otaibi, whose country holds the monthly rotating UNSC presidency, and his accompanying representatives, in the presidential palace in Baghdad, a statement by the presidency office said.
"Salih stressed that Iraq is keen to maintain communication and consultations with the UNSC to promote peace and security in the region, and confirmed that Iraq is seeking to play its role at the regional and international levels," the statement said.
"Salih affirmed that Iraqis achieved victory over terrorism and liberated their cities," the statement said.
It added that Iraqis "have great tasks ahead, including maintaining their unity and achieving prosperity, and this will not be achieved without the support and assistance of international organizations as well as brothers and friends."
Al-Otaibi expressed his support for the government, people and sovereignty of Iraq, praising the balanced policy pursued by Iraq and its keenness to abide by the decisions of the Security Council, according to the statement.
Earlier, a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed al-Sahaf described the visit of UNSC representatives, which came in response to an invitation by the Iraqi government, as "historic."
He said that the UNSC delegation will also meet with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and representatives of the government of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.
