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Maliki Seeks to Improve Ties With Egypt

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has held meetings with his Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood counterpart, Hesham Kandil, in a bid to rebuild ties, but challenges remain, writes Ali Abel Sadah.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (R) welcomes Egypt's Prime Minister Hisham Qandil during his visit to Baghdad, in this March 4, 2013 picture provided by Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office. REUTERS/Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR  EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.  THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTR3EK27
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Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is striving to develop good ties with the Muslim Brotherhood-controlled government of Egypt. But his efforts have encountered serious difficulties, given the political and ideological differences between the ruling parties in Baghdad and Cairo.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil has finally agreed to visit Baghdad at the official invitation of his Iraqi counterpart. Maliki said that the two countries had agreed on supplying Egypt with Iraqi crude oil for refining.

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