In a major address before the United Nations General Assembly, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid declared that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the indispensable foundation for lasting security and stability in the Middle East and the wider world.
President Rashid pointed to the situation in Gaza as a stark example of what he described as a selective application of human rights. However, he welcomed the growing international recognition of the State of Palestine as a positive step.
The Iraqi leader strongly condemned the expansion of Israeli occupation military aggression in the region, citing attacks on Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria. He also denounced the use of Iraqi airspace for any military operations, labeling it a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and a direct threat to national security.
Beyond the Palestinian issue, President Rashid announced Iraq’s support for a Turkish initiative aimed at persuading the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to lay down its arms. He further emphasized Iraq’s commitment to good neighborly relations, particularly with Kuwait, and outlined Baghdad’s intention to foster regional peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
Linking Domestic Development to Regional Peace
Shifting to domestic priorities, President Rashid highlighted Iraq’s commitment to sustainable economic and social development. He detailed efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependence and to attract investment into critical sectors like water, electricity, and infrastructure.
This development drive is acutely needed. Despite being OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, Iraq has been unable to meet its own power demand since the 2003 US-led invasion, forcing millions to rely on expensive private generators—a situation that often fuels social unrest.
President Rashid firmly linked these domestic goals to Iraq’s foreign policy, stating that achieving internal development is closely tied to a foreign policy that prioritizes regional diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He positioned Iraq as a nation striving to play a balanced and open role in reducing tensions across the Middle East.
Source: Agencies (edited and translated by Al-Manar English Website)
