Iraq adopts a foreign policy based on the principles of sovereignty and stability, President Rashid confirms

Baghdad-INA
President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid attended the ceremony held by the National Wisdom Movement on Saturday, to mark Iraqi Martyrs Day and commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim.
 
In his speech, President Rashid praised the Martyr of Mihrab for his crucial role in combating dictatorship. As part of the Iraqi opposition, Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim worked closely with the late Iraqi president Jalal Talabani to bridge gaps between national viewpoints, despite extremely complicated and challenging circumstances.
 
President Rashid said: "We, as a people, our government, our political parties, and our armed forces have managed to defeat terrorism, and achieve victory together. There have been challenges to overcome, but Iraq presently enjoys stability and security. For this reason, we must intensify our collective efforts to resolve the remaining security challenges once and for all and bolster Iraq's prosperity and progress."
 
The President outlined the challenges facing the region, which threaten the stability and peace of all. He reaffirmed Iraq's "position and role in guaranteeing security and stability" and urged all parties to "give priority to dialogue to foster mutual understanding".
 
President Rashid also took the opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the suffering of the Palestinian people "as a result of what is clearly a war of extermination".
"Putting an end to this war is the responsibility of the international community, which must take a more decisive position in order to achieve peace," he said, adding that Iraq strongly rejects "any attempts to expand the scope of this war, as it would have a devastating impact on everyone."
 
President Rashid's speech is as follows
 
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful Distinguished
Ladies and Gentlemen, Peace be upon all of you.
 
On this sorrowful day, we gather here to commemorate the martyrdom of His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim. A fitting end to an honorable history of jihad and struggle that His Eminence pursued with courage and faith to the very end of his life.
 
Throughout the struggle against dictatorship and after the fall of the dictator, I had the pleasure of meeting on numerous occasions His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim. We were brought together by our joint work for Iraq's freedom and democracy. We met many times, whether in Kurdistan or abroad, and then in Baghdad. It was evident that His Eminence was very concerned about Iraqi unity as well as building a democratic, federal, just, free, and independent nation. Even in the face of extremely complex and challenging circumstances, there was never any doubt that the martyr played a crucial role in the struggle against dictatorship. Along with Jalal Talabani, the late Iraqi president, and other Iraqi opposition leaders, he worked to bridge gaps between national viewpoints.
 
It is impossible to overstate His Eminence’s role after the fall of the dictatorship, or his commitment to the establishment of a federal, democratic nation. In order to ensure a truly democratic process, he sought the involvement of all parties. His martyrdom at a young age affected everyone, but his family has filled the void he left behind through the vital role played by His Eminence Sayyid Abdulaziz Al-Hakim (may he rest in peace), and later His Eminence Sayyed Ammar Al-Hakim who has continued with wisdom and diligence, may God protect him.
 
To maintain the momentum on the construction process and move toward Iraq’s strategic objectives, collective and collaborative efforts are required. We, as a people, our government, our political parties, and our armed forces have managed to defeat terrorism, and achieve victory together. There have been challenges to overcome, but Iraq presently enjoys stability and security.
 
For this reason, we must intensify our collective efforts to resolve the remaining security challenges once and for all and bolster Iraq's prosperity and progress. By respecting the separation of powers in the political sphere and in state administration, as well as through joint work and consultation in decision-making and public policy to achieve mutual understanding and shared responsibility in enduring differences and in bringing together all positions, we can enhance the progress already achieved. Our goals can be achieved if all parties come together and cooperate. The ultimate purpose is to cement the foundations of the state, safeguard the constitution, and prevent unilateral decisions and actions.
 
Iraq has made a tremendous level of progress in its diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations with its neighbors and other states in the region. We have also enhanced our relations with many countries around the globe. This is because we have adopted a foreign policy based on common interests and respect for the principles of sovereignty, stability, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
 
Our nation is currently undergoing construction and providing services in various governorates, and we anticipate that these efforts will continue over time. Following the successful governorate councils elections, these councils are expected to work together to improve the country's construction and development.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, our region is currently experiencing unprecedented challenges that threaten the stability and peace of all. We reaffirm Iraq's position and role in guaranteeing security and stability and we urge that all parties give priority to dialogue to foster mutual understanding. We condemn in the strongest terms the suffering of the Palestinian people as a result of what is clearly a war of extermination, especially as most of the victims are women, children and the elderly.
 
Ultimately, putting an end to this war is the responsibility of the international community, which must take a more decisive position in order to achieve peace and secure the interests of the Palestinian people in an independent state based on their ancestral land and with Jerusalem ( Al-Quds Al-Sharif ) as its capital. Moreover, we strongly reject any attempts to expand the scope of this war, as it would have a devastating impact on everyone.
 
God bless and keep everyone safe. May God protect Iraq and its people. Those of us who gather here to commemorate his martyrdom salute His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim. Glory to the Martyr. Glory to Iraq's Martyrs. Thank you.