Commenting Monday during a visit to Baghdad by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit, Maliki said Iraq needs the cooperation of Egypt and its other Arab neighbors on construction and economic development projects, al-Sumaria Television reported.

Maliki added used Gheit's visit to urge Egyptian companies to pick up reconstruction opportunities in the country, the broadcaster said, adding that Gheit reaffirmed Egypt's support of Iraq's efforts as establishing security and the imposition of rule by constitutional law.