Maliki urges international community to ‘contain’ regional crises during meeting With French ambassador

BAGHDAD — Former PM Nouri Al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, called on the international community “to contain the crises and not to side with one party at the expense of another” during a meeting Monday with French Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel.

According to a statement from Maliki’s office, regional developments were a key focus of the meeting. Maliki pointed to “major and serious challenges” in the Middle East, citing “the crimes committed by terrorist groups against minorities” in Syria and “the Israeli escalation in continuing aggression against Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, and most recently Yemen.”

Statement from the Office of the Head of the State of Law Coalition:

The Head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri Al-Maliki, received today in his office the Ambassador of the French Republic to Iraq, Patrick Durel.

At the beginning of the meeting, discussions were held on the overall Iraqi-French relations, ways to develop them, and mechanisms for strengthening them in a manner that serves the interests of both countries, particularly in the economic, security, and cultural fields. The latest political and security developments in Iraq and the region were also addressed.

The Head of the State of Law Coalition clarified that Iraq has historical relations with Paris and is interested in enhancing them across various sectors, pointing to the importance of building multiple investment and economic partnerships that serve the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.

Regarding the ongoing developments in the Middle East, Al-Maliki affirmed that the region is witnessing major and serious challenges, whether in Syria and the crimes committed by terrorist groups against minorities, or the Israeli escalation in continuing aggression against Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, and most recently Yemen. He called on the international community to contain the crises and not to side with one party at the expense of another.

For his part, the French ambassador expressed his country’s interest in Iraq’s success in strengthening its unity and stability, affirming France’s keenness to build strong friendly relations with all Iraqis and its determination to enhance the frameworks of joint cooperation between the two countries.