Category: Politics

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, discussing Middle East and world developments.

The meeting came on the sideline of the Third Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit, which is held in the Qatari capital.

The summit is held under the theme “Sports Diplomacy”.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stressed, today, Thursday: “Our region faces great dangers due to the continued approach of the Zionist occupation state in its aggression and violence.” Abbas said in his speech during the third summit of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue under the slogan: “Sports Diplomacy”, today, Thursday: The State of Palestine seeks to get rid of the occupation and settlement and stop the Zionist aggression in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Quds, leading to a complete end to the occupation of the land of the State of Palestine with its capital, East Quds.

He added: “Despite all the difficulties created by the occupation, Palestinian athletes, like the rest of their people, continue with perseverance and steadfastness to achieve proud accomplishments, and the State of Palestine embodies sports diplomacy, through its participation in all international sports forums, where our athletes carry the cause of their steadfast people who insist on life.”

He continued: “This summit is being he
ld while our region faces great dangers due to the insistence of the Zionist occupation state on the approach of aggression and violence, as our Palestinian people, including its athletes, as well as the brotherly Lebanese people, are exposed to a brutal Zionist war of extermination, which has claimed the lives of thousands of children, women and the elderly, and the ongoing Zionist aggression has destroyed more than 90% of the infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, including facilities and installations Sports”.

He stressed that peace and tolerance cannot coexist with occupation, war of extermination, racial discrimination, ethnic cleansing, oppression and injustice, preventing the Palestinian people from achieving their aspirations for freedom and independence, and aggression against the brotherly Lebanese people, calling on the international community to intervene immediately to stop the barbaric aggression against Palestine and Lebanon.

He continued: “Holding this Asian summit under the title: “Sports Diplom
acy” constitutes an opportunity to enhance dialogue in a language no less influential than official diplomacy, as it is a diplomacy that eliminates barriers and provides spaces for human relations based on fair competition, within the framework of governing laws, regardless of identity, religion, race or language.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives Shakhwan Abdullah Ahmed received in his official office in Baghdad a delegation of imams and preachers of the Sunni Endowment in Kirkuk Governorate, which included: (Dr. Gilan Muhammad Talabani, Sheikh Biston Aziz, Sheikh Tawfiq Abdul Karim, Karmanj Amin).

A statement from his office stated that the meeting discussed topics related to the general situation in Kirkuk and discussed the reality of the city from the security and service aspects.

Abdullah stressed the importance of the role of mosque preachers and religious pulpits in guiding society, renewing confidence and reassurance in people’s souls, and enhancing stability and civil peace.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Thursday that his country is set to have dialogue with Kuwait soon to look into outstanding issues, voicing his country’s genuine willingness to reach understandings thereof.

Hussein made the remark while meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Easter Affairs Barbara Leaf in Washington, focusing on bilateral relations and joint cooperation, along with several regional matters, said the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in a press release.

During the meeting, both sides touched upon ways of settling unresolved issues with the State of Kuwait and the necessity of returning to the negotiating table, it said.

The Iraqi minister added that the recent meetings of both Iraqi and Kuwaiti delegations during the UN General Assembly in New York had underlined the significance of dialogue as “the right way to resolve problems”.

For her part, the US official vowed that Washington would utterly back the Iraqi government’s endeavors to contain crises, according to the release.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, stressed today, Thursday: “What is happening in the Gaza Strip is genocide, and we call for serious work to stop the aggression on Lebanon.”

He said in a speech during the third summit of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Doha: “The world is still witnessing a dangerous escalation in the war waged by the occupation authorities in Gaza, and the State of Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights.”

He added: “The Zionist entity is exploiting the international failure to expand settlements in the West Bank and sees the opportunity available to implement its plan in Lebanon.”

He stressed: “Security will not be achieved without achieving just peace by establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.”

He continued: “We renew our rejection of the Zionist raids and military operations against the sisterly Lebanese Republic, and we have previously warned of the consequences of not holding this entity
accountable for the crimes it has committed against humanity, stressing the belief in the importance of working to contain the escalation, reduce tension, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

The third summit of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue kicked off in the Qatari capital, Doha, today, Thursday, with the wide participation of 35 member states, including China, India, Japan, Turkey, the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The summit aims to enhance regional cooperation in supporting economic development and peace in Asia, and to enhance cooperation in vital areas such as energy, poverty alleviation, biotechnology, environment, and tourism, which contributes to enhancing cooperation across the Asian continent.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received a phone call today, Thursday, from the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, during which they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them in various fields.

During the call, Al-Sudani appreciated, according to a statement from his office, the position of Spain and Sanchez in particular, on the Palestinian issue, which was embodied in the recognition of the State of Palestine, stressing the need for the European Union to intervene to stop the ongoing Zionist aggression on Gaza, in addition to the dangerous escalation that has been targeting Lebanon for days, which threatens to slide the region into a comprehensive war.

During the call, the two sides discussed the procedures for ending the mission of the international coalition in Iraq, especially since Spain is an important member of it, and the need to prepare for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in order to move to a
bilateral partnership relationship based on common interests.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Kuwait Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya took part late Wednesday in the 45th meeting of the GCC Foreign Minister Council held in Doha, Qatar.

The meeting explored ways to boost cooperation amongst GCC countries and also discussed the alarming developments in the Middle East.

The officials focused on possible measures to divert war from the region to protect innocent lives and safeguard regional security.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani recalled the passing of former President Jalal Talabani, stressing: “The deceased had a great impact and a clear imprint in strengthening the ranks and strengthening the cohesion among our people of all spectrums.”

Al-Sudani said in a statement: “We recall these days the seventh anniversary of the passing of the late former President Jalal Talabani, and his pivotal and honorable role in the struggle against tyranny and dictatorship over decades of national work, just as we recall his prominent role, alongside Iraqi national figures, forces and parties, in establishing a democratic, federal, constitutional Iraq.”

He added: “The late Mam Jalal had a great impact and a clear imprint in strengthening the ranks and strengthening the cohesion among our people of all spectrums, and consolidating the concepts of presenting the national interest over any partisan or factional interests, which is an approach from which we still draw inspiration in all aspects of political work a
nd the government program.”

He concluded by saying: ‘Our consolation today is that the principles and values that the late President Jalal Talabani contributed to strengthening have become a symbol of a stable and strong Iraq, and a gateway to serving our people in all parts of Iraq.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency