Hussein: Iraq will not be a war arena

INA - Baghdad

Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein and his Canadian counterpart, Marc Garneau, discussed bilateral relations and means of joint cooperation in various fields.

Hussein met Garneau, on the sidelines of his participation in the meeting of the global coalition to defeat the terrorist organization Daesh in Rome, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). 

Iraq FM Hussein stressed the importance of achieving partnership between Iraq and Canada, praising Canada's efforts within the global coalition to counter Daesh.

“Iraq will not allow it to be a battlefield, calling for the need to respect Iraqi sovereignty, and to stop violations,” Hussein stressed.

He pointed to Iraq's adherence to its sovereignty and strengthening that through maintaining coordination and communication with various parties and through diplomatic initiatives and endeavors, indicating; The Iraqi government's efforts to confront the remaining pockets of terrorism, in addition to supporting Iraq in fighting extremist ideology.

The minister also touched on the Iraqi government's preparations to hold the elections on schedule, according to criteria and conditions that restore the Iraqi people's confidence in the feasibility of political participation, included the statement.

For his part, Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau expressed his country's support for Iraq's efforts to achieve security and stability, stressing “the continuation of cooperation between the two countries, in addition to working to calm down and prevent escalation,”