Iraq hails US, Iran shift in relations

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki Saturday welcomed the development in the relations between the US and Iran, stressing that such ties would help ease tensions in the region and the world.

"I hailed the current attitudes of the Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by President Hassan Rouhani, and the attitudes of the United State(s), expressed by President Barack Obama," reported Xinhua citing Maliki in a statement issued by his office.

Obama and Rouhani had a phone conversation Friday, which was the first talk between the two countries' heads of state since the outbreak of Tehran hostage crisis over three decades ago.

"Such attitudes help find peaceful solutions on the basis of common interests between the two countries that would end the tensions, for which the region and the world are paying price," Maliki said.

"We are very optimistic for what happened recently in the UN, and the (positive) atmosphere during the convention of the UN General Assembly, a phone call, a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries," Maliki added.

Maliki also announced that Iraq is ready to play a role to push forward the positive development, and described the new relations between the two countries as a great breakthrough.

"The is a great breakthrough for the stalemate (between the two countries), and this is a victory for the willing of the nations for better relations and cooperation, from which the region and the world will reap great benefits," Maliki said.