Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, affirmed his country’s commitment to remaining within the framework of the international coalition to counter the expansion of ISIS in Africa and Asia. He highlighted the challenges facing the region, particularly the war in Lebanon, which has led to social disasters and created a humanitarian crisis resulting from the displacement of about a million Lebanese to other cities within the country, and tens of thousands attempting to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Hussein emphasized that these crises require international efforts to manage. He warned that the continuation of the war could lead to further conflicts in the region and contribute to the emergence of new terrorist groups or the revival of old ones along with extremist ideologies.
Hussein expressed his aspiration for a long-term partnership with the United States, particularly in security and military fields, praising the cooperation and coordination between Iraq and the United States in combating ISIS. He highlighted the decade-long joint efforts and the importance of the recent agreement aimed at enhancing security coordination and completing the coalition forces’ withdrawal process from Iraq.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire and efforts to calm the situation and address the worsening humanitarian crises, emphasizing the importance of protecting Lebanon and ensuring its continued efficacy as a functioning state.
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with Hussein in Washington the continuation of diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of conflicts in the region. The U.S. State Department stated that on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting to combat ISIS, Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ ongoing commitment to defeating ISIS globally to ensure greater security and stability.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister confirmed the shared vision to build a lasting partnership between the United States and Iraq according to the Strategic Framework Agreement, including a comprehensive security relationship supporting a stable, secure, and sovereign Iraq.
