‘Casting shadows’: Iraqi president warns of regional instability, urges diplomacy

BAGHDAD — Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid warned that “the specter of war threatens security and stability” across the region and called for urgent diplomatic efforts to address crises during the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad on Saturday.

In his address to Arab leaders, Rashid welcomed delegates and said Iraq was honored to host the summit “amid complex security conditions and economic challenges,” noting that such issues were “casting shadows over the lives of our people.”

He reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to peaceful solutions and cooperation across the region. “We remain committed to the principles of the United Nations and the rules of international law,” Rashid said. “We reject the policy of imposition, foreign interference, and the use of force.”

President Rashid’s full speech:

On behalf of ourselves and the Iraqi people, we are pleased to welcome you to the land of Mesopotamia. Today, we are honored to host the 34th session of the Arab League Summit amid complex security conditions and economic challenges, as the specter of war threatens security and stability, impedes our developmental efforts, and hinders our future aspirations. The economic difficulties are increasingly evident and are casting shadows over the lives of our people.

It gives us great pleasure today to see Iraq assume the presidency of the Arab League Summit. We express our deep appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of the Arab League during this sensitive phase. We extend our sincere thanks to His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, and to all those who have worked with him for their distinguished efforts in making this summit a success.

The Baghdad Summit is taking place under extremely complex circumstances and serious challenges that threaten our region, our countries’ security, and the fate of our peoples. These threats impose on us a historic responsibility to act to shield our countries from the consequences of successive crises.

There is a need for urgent initiatives and movement to enhance prospects for Arab, regional, and international stability through diplomatic solutions that serve the interests of our nations and peoples. In our efforts, we remain committed to the principles of the United Nations and the rules of international law, which emphasize respect for the sovereignty of states, good neighborliness, and mutual cooperation. Iraq also stresses the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, direct bilateral dialogues, or mediation, and it rejects the policy of imposition, foreign interference, and the use of force.

For nearly a year and a half, the Palestinian people in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories have been subjected to systematic genocide aimed at eliminating the Palestinian presence on the usurped lands. While we strongly condemn this aggression and denounce these practices that contradict the principles of human rights and international law—which have failed and will continue to fail in solving the just central cause—we commend the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. We reaffirm our stance in supporting their right to all of their national territory and reject all attempts at displacement under any circumstances or names.

Iraq affirms its firm commitment to supporting the security and stability of the brotherly Arab countries, as our shared security is indivisible. This stems from our belief in the unity of fate and interests, and our rejection of any foreign interference that undermines the sovereignty of these states or threatens the security of their peoples.

Iraq emphasizes the importance of political solutions and inclusive national dialogue as the only way to resolve crises. It also emphasizes respect for the peoples’ choices in building their states and achieving their aspirations for a dignified life, reflecting the spirit of brotherhood and responsibility embodied in this summit and Iraq’s commitment to Arab unity.

The primary goal of our summit today—and not long after the emergency summit in Cairo—is to unify our positions in the face of growing challenges. This stems from our belief in the importance of joint Arab action, prioritizing supreme national interests over others, and upholding the language of reason and dialogue over the language of force in resolving disputes.

We must leverage our unique geographic position, historical heritage, rich culture, human resources, and natural wealth, which have captured global attention. Thus, we are called upon today to activate our shared values, overlook what may divide us, and focus on the interests of our peoples for progress, prosperity, service provision, and social justice. The unity of blood, religion, history, and destiny compels us to focus on integration, partnership, and cooperation, and to launch developmental and service projects.