Baghdad Tries to Cool Regional Crises
Arab World
Baghdad – Asharq Al-Awsat
Baghdad hosted on Saturday a cooperation and partnership conference that brought together Arab heads of state and representatives of neighboring countries, as well as France. The summit was part of Iraq’s attempt to cool regional tensions and open a window for possible cooperation and partnership between the countries of the region. The summit notably brought together rivals from the Gulf and Iran. In his opening address, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said he refused to have Iraqi territory be used as an arena for regional and international conflicts. He also refused for Iraq to be used as a platform to attack neighbors. At the conclusion of the summit, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the meeting tackled several issues, mostly ways to support his country. Baghdad, he remarked, managed to bring together major countries that are embroiled in various major disputes. Baghdad managed to open the possibility for joint work in the region through dialogue, rather than conflicts, he stressed. The stability of Iraq will lead to the stability of the surrounding areas and entire region, he added. Speeches at the summit highlighted the importance of Iraq and its regional and international role. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah expressed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s security and stability. The Saudi leadership spares no effort in supporting Iraq in various fields, he stressed. The FM met with Kadhimi for talks on bilateral relations and ways to bolster them to serve their common interests. The PM conveyed his greetings to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and the Saudi government and people. The summit witnessed several significant side meetings. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani – the first such talks between the leaders since the AlUla summit in Saudi Arabia in January. Sheikh Tamim also met with Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed, for his part, met with Iran’s new foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who broke protocol at the event when dignitaries were posing for their group photo. Amirabdollahian was supposed to stand in the second row that is dedicated for ministers. Instead, he broke protocol and stood in the front row, which is reserved for leaders and heads of state, and chose to stand between Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3158711/baghdad-tries-cool-regional-crises
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