The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, affirmed the Iraqis' keenness to establish a culture of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and respect.

A presidential statement stated, "The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, received today, at the Baghdad Palace, the delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, headed by the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Union, Samuel Koglati, in the presence of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, Arshad al-Salihi, and a member of the committee, Wahda al-Jumaili."

During the meeting, Rashid stressed, according to the statement, "the importance of cooperation and coordination relations between Iraq and human rights organizations," referring to "the efforts made in Iraq to consolidate and strengthen the foundations of democratic construction, guarantee and protect human rights, freedom of expression and opinion, and strengthen the rule of law and the judiciary."

He explained that "Iraqis, with all their components, are keen to establish a culture of peaceful coexistence, tolerance, respect and acceptance of the other."

For his part, Samuel Koglati expressed his happiness "to visit Iraq and meet the President of the Republic," praising "the role of the President of the Republic in protecting human rights and freedoms."

He affirmed "the union's support for the political process in Iraq and cooperation and coordination between the Iraqi political parties."

Koglati gave an explanation to the President of the Republic about the Union's work and its tireless efforts in preserving human rights in a way that achieves peace and stability for the peoples of the world.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency