Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said his country was willing to provide assistance to Libya, according to deputy minister Walid Abbawi at the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (February 22nd).

Abbawi told Al-Shorfa that al-Maliki "has expressed Iraq's willingness to co-operate with Libya in all areas, including military and security co-operation on counterterrorism issues and re-building the Libyan armed forces, especially after Iraqi forces acquired experience in counterterrorism in the past years."

Al-Maliki's statements came after he received a message from his Libyan counterpart, Abdurrehim al-Keib. The message was delivered to him by al-Keib's advisor Nasser al-Manae who is currently visiting Iraq.

The Libyan delegation said it hoped "to enhance co-operation between the two countries in all fields, especially in rebuilding the armed forces, security apparatuses, electoral commissions, and in election organisation issues," AFP news reported.