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Arab News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
French FM says Iraq should not be dragged into regional conflicts
'It is essential for Iraq not to be drawn into conflicts it did not choose,' Barrot saidHe praised the Iraqi government's efforts to 'preserve the stability of the country'BAGHDAD: France's foreign minister said on Wednesday that Iraq should not be pulled into conflicts in a turbulent Middle East during his first visit to the country, which has suffered from decades of Barrot will also visit Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as part of a regional tour to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Iraq, an ally to both Tehran and Washington, has been navigating a delicate balancing act not to be drawn into the fighting, after pro-Iran factions launched numerous attacks on US troops based in Iraq, as well as mostly failed attacks on Israel.'It is essential for Iraq not to be drawn into conflicts it did not choose,' Barrot said in a joint conference with his counterpart Fuad praised the Iraqi government's efforts to 'preserve the stability of the country.''We are convinced that a strong and independent Iraq is a source of stability for the entire region, which is threatened today by the conflict that started on October 7, and Iran's destabilising activities,' Barrot have been no attacks by pro-Iran Iraqi factions for several months, while Iraq is now preparing to host an Arab League summit and the third edition of the Baghdad Conference on regional stability, which Paris has been co-organizing with Baghdad since returning to the White House in January, US President Donald Trump has reinstated his 'maximum pressure' policy with Iran while engaging in talks over its nuclear Hussein urged for successful talks 'to spare the region from the danger of war,' adding that 'there are no alternatives to negotiations.'Barrot met Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in Baghdad, and he is expected later in the autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq to meet with Kurdish said he welcomed 'an upcoming visit' of French President Emmanuel Macron to Iraq, which would be his third trip to the and France have been strengthening their bilateral relations in several sectors, including energy and has deployed troops in Iraq as part of the US-led international coalition to fight the Daesh group, which was defeated in Iraq in 2017, although some of its militant cells remain is now seeking to end the coalition's mission and replace it with bilateral military partnerships with the coalition's members, saying its own forces can lead the fight against the weakened militants.'We cannot allow ten years of success against terrorism to be undermined,' Barrot said, adding that France remains ready to contribute to the regional tour will also help 'prepare for the international conference for the implementation of the two-state solution' that Paris will co-organize in June with Riyadh, the French foreign ministry said earlier this month that France planned to recognize a Palestinian state, possibly as early as said he hoped it would 'trigger a series of other recognitions,' including of decades, the formal recognition of a Palestinian state has been seen as the endgame of a peace process between Palestinians and Israel.
The National
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
French Foreign Minister urges to keep Iraq away from Middle East conflicts
Iraq should not be dragged into regional conflicts as it emerges from decades of instability, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday, during his visit to the capital Baghdad. Mr Barrot began his tour of the Middle East with Iraq, where he is looking to strengthen bilateral ties and lay the ground for two key conferences on regional peace. During the two-day trip, Mr Barrot will hold meetings with senior officials in Baghdad including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, as well as members of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan regional government. "France wants to stand firmly with Iraq during this sensitive period," Mr Barrot said in a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. "There is a principle of supporting Iraq in its political choices to build its future." After decades of conflict and political turmoil, Iraq is showing signs of improved security and growing political stability. Violence has declined significantly compared to nearly a decade ago, allowing for reconstruction efforts and a gradual return to normal life in many areas. However, the country is treading a fine line in balancing relations with the US and Iran, which are both allies. During the war on Gaza, Baghdad has been aiming not to be drawn into the fighting after pro-Tehran factions launched numerous attacks on US troops based in Iraq, as well as mostly failed strikes aimed at Israel. There have been no attacks for months now. "It is essential for Iraq not to be drawn into conflicts it did not choose," Mr Barrot said, praising the government's efforts to "preserve the stability of the country." "We are convinced that a strong and independent Iraq is a source of stability for the entire region, which is threatened today by the conflict that started on October 7, and Iran's destabilising activities," he added. Mr Hussein described Iraq's relations with France as "broad and historical", saying the two ministers discussed ways to boost them in all fields. Iraq and France have been strengthening bilateral relations in sectors including energy and security. France has stationed troops in Iraq as part of the US-led international coalition to fight ISIS, which was defeated in Iraq in 2017, although some of its cells remain active. Before his arrival, the French Foreign Ministry said Mr Barrot's visit will 'affirm France's commitment to the stability of Iraq', adding that he will discuss preparations for the third Baghdad Conference aimed at promoting regional stability and co-operation. The conference, which is attended by nations from across the Middle East and Europe, has been organised by Paris and Baghdad since 2021. Discussions will also cover France's 'commitment to continuing the fight against [ISIS], in the context of the transition in neighbouring Syria and the repositioning of the American presence', the ministry added. The US said on Friday that it would reduce its troop presence in Syria by about half, cutting the number of soldiers to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months. Washington also agreed with Baghdad last December to withdraw US troops from some parts of Iraq following their presence there for a decade to help fight ISIS. After Iraq, Mr Barrot will head to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia over three days. The French ministry said Mr Barrot will also discuss preparations for another international conference, to be held in New York in June, on the implementation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France is co-organising the event with Saudi Arabia. President Emmanuel Macron this month announced France's intention to recognise a Palestinian state as part of a broader diplomatic drive aimed at securing regional peace and setting up Arab diplomatic relations with Israel. 'What we want to trigger is a series of other recognitions' of a Palestinian state, 'but also the recognition of Israel by states that today do not do so,' Mr Macron said last week.
The National
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
French Foreign Minister begins Middle East tour with visit to Iraq
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot began a tour of the Middle East on Wednesday, starting with Iraq, where he will be looking to strengthen bilateral ties and lay the ground for two key conferences on regional peace. During the two-day Iraqi visit, Mr Barrot will hold meetings with senior officials in Baghdad including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, as well as members of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan regional government. His visit will 'affirm France's commitment to the stability of Iraq', the French Foreign Ministry said, adding that he will discuss preparations for the third Baghdad Conference aimed at promoting regional stability and co-operation. The conference, which is attended by nations from across the Middle East and Europe, has been organised by Paris and Baghdad since 2021. Discussions will also cover France's 'commitment to continuing the fight against [ISIS], in the context of the transition in neighbouring Syria and the repositioning of the American presence', the ministry added. The US said on Friday that it would reduce its troop presence in Syria by about half, cutting the number of soldiers to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months. Washington also agreed with Baghdad last December to withdraw US troops from some parts of Iraq following their presence there for a decade to help fight ISIS. After Iraq, Mr Barrot will head to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia over three days. The French ministry said Mr Barrot will also discuss preparations for another international conference, to be held in New York in June, on the implementation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France is co-organising the event with Saudi Arabia. President Emmanuel Macron this month announced France's intention to recognise a Palestinian state as part of a broader diplomatic drive aimed at securing regional peace and setting up Arab diplomatic relations with Israel. 'What we want to trigger is a series of other recognitions' of a Palestinian state, 'but also the recognition of Israel by states that today do not do so,' Mr Macron said last week.
Iraqi News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
FM Hussein, his French counterpart discuss Syria stability, US-Iran talks
Baghdad-INA Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Wednesday that he discussed with his French counterpart support for Syria's stability and ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. In a joint press conference with French Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Hussein said Iraq's ties with France are strong and longstanding. 'Our relationship with France is extensive. France played a key role in the international coalition during our fight against ISIS,' Hussein stated. The two officials also discussed defense cooperation, including potential arms purchases from France, and addressed the threat of terrorism in Syria and how to combat it. 'We support Syria's stability as part of efforts to build an inclusive political process,' Hussein said. 'We also back U.S.-Iran negotiations and emphasized the importance of keeping the region away from war.' He stressed that diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran remain the only path to achieving peaceful and constructive outcomes. Hussein added that preparations for the Baghdad Conference were also discussed, with both sides continuing dialogue on its timing and format.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
French FM makes first visit to Iraq
Fouad Hussein and Jean-Noel Barrot (AP) Baghdad: France 's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot will meet officials in Baghdad on Wednesday as part of a regional tour to push for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The French foreign ministry said in a statement that Barrot, who will also visit Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is on a tour to help "prepare for the international conference for the implementation of the two-state solution" that Paris will co-organise in June with Riyadh. French President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this month that France planned to recognise a Palestinian state, possibly as early as June. He said he hoped it would "trigger a series of other recognitions", including of Israel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Iraq has long recognised a Palestinian state, but has never recognised Israel and does not have formal relations with it. For decades, the formal recognition of a Palestinian state has been seen as the endgame of a peace process between Palestinians and Israel. On his first trip to Iraq, Barrot will meet his counterpart Fuad Hussein and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad before heading to the northern autonomous Kurdistan region to meet with its leaders. The visit to Baghdad will allow France to prepare for the third version of the Baghdad Conference on regional stability, which Paris has been co-organising with Baghdad since 2021. It also aims to confirm "France's commitment to the stability of Iraq and its role" in maintaining regional balance. It will also allow "France to reaffirm its commitment to continue the fight against" the Islamic State group, especially "in a context of transition in neighbouring Syria", and Washington's decision to halve the number of its troops in Syria. France has deployed troops in Iraq as part of the US-led international coalition set up to fight IS, which was defeated in Iraq in 2017 although some of its jihadist cells remain active. Baghdad is now seeking to end the coalition's mission and replace it with bilateral military partnerships with members of the coalition, saying its own forces can lead the fight against the weakened jihadists.
