Iraq prudent over taking Islamic State foreign nationals

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Alhakim are seen during the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq October 17, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi officials appeared cautious on Thursday after holding talks with European powers this week aimed at accelerating efforts to create a judicial framework that would enable jihadists being held in Syria to face trial in Iraq.

European states have been trying to fast-track a plan to move thousands of foreign Islamic State militants out of Syrian prison camps and into Iraq, after the Turkish offensive in northern Syria raised the risk of jihadists escaping or returning home, diplomats and officials have told Reuters.