Iraq Hosts Conference on Palestinian Prisoners

Iraq hosted an international conference on Israel's Palestinian and Arab prisoners on Tuesday, the latest in a series of events held in Baghdad as the country seeks to re-emerge on the regional stage.

Talks on Iran's disputed nuclear program and a summit of Arab leaders were held earlier this year in Iraq, which is still struggling with the impact of decades of violence, war and sanctions.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad emphasized in remarks to the conference that "achieving our goals" requires the acceleration of inter-Palestinian reconciliation.

Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki meanwhile said his country was ready to work to "internationalize the issue of the Palestinian and Arab prisoners and expose ugly practices carried out by the forces of the Israeli occupier".

The conference, the first of its kind held in Iraq in more than two decades, was attended by Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi and others from more than 70 countries, according to organizers.