Al-Hakim: There is a national interest in opening up to Syria

Iraqi News

23-04-2025

Baghdad-INA
The leader of Hikma Movement, Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim, affirmed on Wednesday that there is a national interest in Iraq's purposeful openness with Syria. He explained that the host country of the Arab Summit does not choose its guests, but within the Arab League protocol.
During a session at the Seen Dialogue Forum, attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent, Al-Hakim said, "Iraq has succeeded in neutralizing the country and distancing itself from involvement in the regional war." He noted that "Iraq has good relations with Iran and the United States, and it is the primary beneficiary of any understanding between the two parties."
Regarding the elections, Al-Hakim explained that "the election law in Iraq supports middle-level forces, not large lists. Therefore, the Coordination Framework decided to enter the elections alone and then form alliances."
He explained that "the election law is changing because we are in a young democracy, and we discussed within the State Coalition the 2022 election law to be a fixed law for all electoral processes and a unified law for parliament and the governorates."
"We want a fair election law that gives each entity and bloc its due, and we believe that the current law is good," stressing that "there is no chance of amending the election law." Al-Hakim said.
He explained, "We have an interest in the participation of all political forces in the electoral process. If a political party does not participate in the political process, its vision must be respected, and we must advise it. We are pleased with the Sadrist movement's participation in the elections." He noted that "there are 300 parties licensed to date in the commission, and there is great diversity."
Regarding the Syrian situation, Al-Hakim emphasized that "most countries have dialogue and interests with Syria and Iraq. This dialogue must be continuous, and Iraq must play a role in the Syrian equation, with its interests being paramount." He explained that "there is an Iraqi national interest in purposeful openness with Syria."
He pointed out that "the host country does not choose its guests at the Arab Summit, but rather within the Arab League protocol, and we extend the invitation to all members."