Lebanon's war may extend to other countries: MOFA

Baghdad - INA

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein expressed Iraq's concern today, Friday, about the possibility of the war expanding from Lebanon to other countries, while indicating that Iraq seeks to achieve an immediate ceasefire and spare its airspace from entering the conflict.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) - said: "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein met at his residence in the French capital, Paris, with a number of representatives of French and Arab media.".

The statement added that "during the meeting, the minister reviewed the current developments in the region, and stressed Iraq's continued support for the Lebanese people in various fields, and stressed that the main problem lies in the need for a ceasefire, as the continuation of the war threatens the stability of the region."

The minister explained - according to the statement - that "the attack on Palestine represents a violation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and reflects non-compliance with UN resolutions and Security Council resolutions, and expressed Iraq's concern about the possibility of the war expanding from Lebanon to other countries," noting that "Iraq seeks - through its international contacts - to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and is working to spare its atmosphere from entering the conflict."

He pointed out that "communication is ongoing between Iraq and the United States within the framework of the security agreement between the two countries, which includes joint commitments to protect Iraq."
He stressed that "the American side showed understanding of the need to keep Iraq away from the conflict," indicating that "the Iraqi government rejects the use of its airspace by any party to carry out attacks against other parties," stressing that "Iraqi airspace is not a battlefield."

Regarding the file of Iraqis residing in Europe illegally, the minister explained that "negotiations are underway between Iraq and the European Union, and memoranda of understanding have been signed with countries such as Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands to coordinate the voluntary return of these people," stressing that "these agreements do not include Iraqis residing legally, but rather relate to those who are in an illegal situation and wish to return.

" Hussein condemned "the terrorist operation that took place in Ankara," stressing "the strength of Iraqi-Turkish relations and their importance to both countries, despite the existence of some points of contention that are being resolved through dialogue."

In the context of hosting refugees, the minister pointed out that "Iraq hosts about 250,000 Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan Region under the supervision of the federal government, the regional government and the refugee commission."

He added that "70,000 of these Syrian refugees have entered the labor market in Iraq," explaining that "Iraq has received about 10,000 Lebanese who entered via Syria, describing them as guests," stressing that "Iraq is dealing with this file from a humanitarian standpoint, but it does not encourage any demographic change in either Iraq or Lebanon.

" Hussein concluded the meeting by "emphasizing Iraq's solidarity with the Lebanese people," stressing that "the Lebanese and Iraqi societies are component societies, and any demographic change in them affects their stability," stressing the "importance of maintaining the demographic balance in both countries because of its direct impact on their stability."