Iraqi prime minister calls for Arab-Islamic fund to rebuild Gaza and Lebanon

NEWSROOM — Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, addressing the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh on Monday, condemned Israeli military actions in Palestinian and Lebanese territories, highlighting the extensive loss of life and suffering, particularly among women and children. Al-Sudani called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and proposed the creation of an Arab-Islamic fund to rebuild Gaza and Lebanon.

The summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia, brought together leaders from Arab and Islamic nations to address the escalating violence in the region. Discussions focused on unifying efforts to end the conflict and supporting affected populations.

The Riyadh summit follows the Arab-Islamic meeting held on November 11, 2023, also in Riyadh, co-organized by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. While the gatherings emphasize solidarity, they also highlight divisions among member states regarding relations with Israel. Some nations have pursued normalization and regional integration, while others remain staunchly opposed to such efforts.

Full statement from PM Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani attended today, the Arab-Islamic Summit hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to address the ongoing Zionist aggression on Palestinian and Lebanese territories and the current developments in the region.

In his address, Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized that the conflict did not start on October 7, 2023, as some portray it, pointing instead to decades of occupation, displacement, land seizure, and violations of international laws and human rights. He highlighted the extensive loss of life and suffering, particularly among women and children, caused by the ongoing aggression, which has led to thousands of deaths, injuries, and displacements, largely ignored by major powers and the international community.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s stance for de-escalation and its opposition to all forms of escalation. He warned of Zionist’s intent to expand the conflict, which could lead to a wider war with severe economic consequences in a region that supplies energy to the world.

He reiterated Iraq’s proposal to establish an Arab and Islamic fund to rebuild Gaza and Lebanon, to address the widespread destruction, and to support displaced populations, countering the Zionist agenda of displacing rightful landowners.