Iraq called Pope's support for Christians stay in Iraq, Maliki

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Premier Nouri al-Maliki called Christians to stay in Iraq, pointing that he called Pope's assistance for this matter.

In the opening ceremony of Sayidat al-Najat (Lady of Salvation) Church re-opening, Maliki added that the Pope issued a statement calling Iraqi Christians to remain at home.

The Church was under terrorist siege and attack in 2010 where many Christians were killed and wounded, till an Iraqi force stormed into the church to free the remaining hostages.

Maliki pointed out that the attack "was aiming at the unity of the Iraqi people".

The church was renovated by the ministry of housing and reconstruction.