AMMAN: Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh conferred Thursday with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, stressing the importance of the forthcoming parliamentary elections as a milestone along the path of political development in the violence-torn neighboring country, according to an official statement.
The forthcoming polls represent an important milestone in endeavors to boost the political process in Iraq, Judeh said.
The participation of all the components of the Iraqi people will ensure success for the polling process and consequently shore up the ability of Iraq to stand up to challenges, he added.
Judeh reiterated Jordans determination to extend all facilities to about 500,000 Iraqis living in Jordan.
The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), which oversees the polling process, set up a representation office in Jordan last week to supervise arrangements taken to ensure about 150,000 eligible Iraqi electorate cast their votes in a smooth manner.
Officials from the two countries last week decided to set up eight polling stations for Iraqis in the cities of Amman, Zarqa and Irbid.
Iraqis in Jordan are scheduled to cast their votes on March 7, two days earlier before polling inside Iraq. Candidates or their representatives plan to start their election campaign in Jordan on Sunday, Iraqi sources said. ¬