Advisor to PM: Iraq will present solutions, not just host Arab League summit

BAGHDAD — Iraq has finalized preparations to host the upcoming Arab League Summit on May 17, with invitations sent to all Arab kings and presidents and confirmation of attendance by the UN Secretary-General, according to Hussein Alawi, advisor to the Prime Minister.

“We will not merely be organizers or hosts, but will present solutions, as the Prime Minister has stated,” Alawi said in an interview with Al-Iraqiya TV. Alawi noted that the summit will highlight dialogue, solidarity, and development.

Excerpts from Hussein Alawi’s interview with Al-Iraqiya TV:

This is the second summit hosted by Iraq under its democratic system, and the government’s preparations are proceeding according to standard criteria, both strategically and operationally. An official clarification will be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the level of representation of Arab states. What we have learned through official channels is that all kings and presidents have received invitations to attend, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations will also be present. This is a message from the international community in support of the process of development and stability in the capital, Baghdad, and the revitalization of the country.

This summit comes at a time when Iraq is playing a role in regional developments. We will not merely be organizers or hosts, but will present solutions, as the Prime Minister has stated. All leaders of political forces within the Coordination Framework and the State Administration Coalition support the government’s efforts in its regional and global roles.

We have nearly completed the logistical and service preparations to host the Arab Leaue Summit, which will promote three values: dialogue, as we found the region is in need of Arab-Arab dialogue; second, solidarity in the face of crises affecting Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Sudan; and third, development, where topics such as railway connectivity will be discussed.

The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs recently visited Washington, and we reached some understandings with the U.S. regarding current regional issues, which we believe will move toward stability through the economic dimension. The Prime Minister stated a few days ago that President Trump is a clear-cut figure who sets his priorities plainly in international relations, and we engage with him based on these standards.

For the first time, Arab countries feel a threat to the very essence of their existence. Therefore, many Arab leaders are exchanging messages, communicating, and discussing this threat, as the Arab region is suffering from crises in economic and security integration.