Lavrov: Russia to Speed up Arms Delivery to Iraq

Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, Lavrov expressed Moscow's concern over what he described as "rampant terrorism" in the Middle East region.
 
"There's an urgent need for Iraq to have weapons in order to combat terrorism," Lavrov said.
 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed an arms deal with Moscow six months ago with a view to fighting what he described as "terrorists" in the country's western Anbar region.
 
Lavrov said there was consensus in both Baghdad and Moscow regarding the need for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria and the ongoing stalemate over Iran's nuclear program.
 
According to Lavrov, Russia is striving to help the people of the Middle East and North Africa decide their own fate without any foreign interference or "prefabricated models."
 
The Russian FM, who arrived in Baghdad on Thursday, has already met with al-Maliki to discuss bilateral relations and the Syria conflict, according to a statement issued by al-Maliki's office.
 
For his part, Zebari said that Baghdad and Moscow had seen eye-to-eye regarding the need to revive bilateral cooperation in the political, commercial and economic fields.
 
Lavrov's visit, he asserted, "sends a message of Russia's solidarity with the Iraqi government and people."