Baghdad, Dec 22 (NationPress) Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani emphasized the necessity of unified efforts to aid Syria in governing its own affairs without any interference that threatens its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As per a statement from al-Sudani's media office, the Prime Minister expressed these views on Saturday during a meeting with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in Baghdad, where they explored avenues to enhance bilateral relations across various sectors, especially in security cooperation, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Al-Sudani commended Italy's contributions to supporting Iraq through the missions of the international coalition and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, while reiterating Iraq's willingness to collaborate with allied nations to stabilize the region, according to the statement.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the Iraqi government is currently assessing developments in Syria to make informed choices regarding the evolving situation, the statement added.

In response, Crosetto confirmed Italy's willingness to broaden ties with Iraq and support stability in the Middle East.

Earlier on Thursday, Syria's interim authorities announced that soldiers and officers from the previous government who had fled to Iraq are now welcome to return home without fear of retaliation.

In an official statement, the interim authorities assured that military personnel who escaped to neighboring Iraq during the final stages of the former government's collapse would not face harassment or punishment upon their return.

It further noted that these returnees could utilize any border crossing and that the interim authorities would collaborate directly with the Iraqi government to streamline procedures for their return.

More than 1,000 Syrian army personnel crossed into Iraq via the Qaim border crossing on December 7, just a day before the militant groups overthrew the previous Syrian government, as reported by Iraq's official news agency INA.