Iraqi PM and US official discuss Syrian crisis

Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, received a phone call from US Vice President, Joseph Biden, on Thursday night. A statement by Maliki’s office stated that Maliki and Biden discussed Iraq’s stance concerning the Syrian crisis, noting that “Maliki confirmed Iraq is restoring its regional role after being relieved from the 7th Chapter.” “Biden congratulated Maliki on Ramadan and welcomed upgrading Iraq’s regional role and its relationship with Arab countries,” the statement continued. “Both sides discussed viewpoints concerning the regional updates where Maliki assured that Iraq stresses reaching political solution for the Syrian crisis,” the statement concluded.