The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the Advisor of Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary General of Supreme Council for National Security…reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iraq’s Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani have reviewed the prospects of advancing cooperation between the two sides.
This came as H.H. Sheikh Mohamed received Barzani at Qasr Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi today, where they addressed various aspects of UAE’s relations with Iraq in general and with the Kurdistan Region in particular.
President Nechirvan Barzani & HH Mohammed bin Zayed discussed:
⚫️ The need for regional cooperation to address common challenges such as #ClimateChange & extremism
⚫️ Joint efforts to promote regional stability & invest in education
— Niyaz Salih Barzani (@NiyazSBarzani) March 9, 2023
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, the Advisor of Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary General of Supreme Council for National Security.
During the talks, Sisi highlighted Egypt’s unwavering support for Iraq and its people at all levels…reports Asian Lite News
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani here to discuss issues of mutual interest.
During the meeting on Sunday, the two leaders agreed that sustained coordination is a must for facing challenges and restoring peace and stability in the region, according to the Egyptian Presidency.
Sisi highlighted Egypt’s unwavering support for Iraq and its people at all levels, particularly in the fight against terrorism and for the country’s security and stability, Xinhua news agency reported.
Egypt is willing to diversify and put into work various frameworks of political, economic, and cultural cooperation with Iraq, Sisi said, stressing the need to intensify cooperation within the framework of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism among Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.
For his part, al-Sudani lauded the firm and historical bonds between the two countries and Egypt’s efforts to support Iraq at all levels.
In this respect, he appreciated the “prominent role” that Egypt has played in forwarding the mechanisms of joint Arab action to maintain peace and development in spite of challenges in the region.
The two sides discussed issues of common interest, including border situation, adding the Iraqi government has taken measures to protect its border with Iran..reports Asian Lite News
Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held meetings with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on border situation, bilateral cooperation and regional security.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said at a joint press conference with Amir-Abdollahian that the two sides discussed issues of common interest, including border situation, adding the Iraqi government has taken measures to protect its border with Iran from being used to launch attack against neighbouring countries, reports Xinhua news agency.
“Iraq’s Constitution prohibits the use of Iraq’s lands to attack neighbouring countries,” he told reporters.
For his part, Amir-Abdollahian told reporters that Iran supports strengthening Iraq’s security and sovereignty in confronting terrorism.
The top Iranian diplomat also thanked the Iraqi counterpart for “his endeavours to bridge the views of all parties” in an effort to facilitate Iran’s normalization talks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt respectively.
Amir-Abdollahian also met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid later in the day, where Rashid said the two countries could contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region, according to the Iraqi presidency’s statement.
During a separate meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, the two sides emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in security, economic and cultural fields, according to an official statement.
The vote, which would come after consideration in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, could take place just before the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq….reports Asian Lite News
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that the Senate will vote to repeal two decades-old measures giving open-ended approval for military action in Iraq, raising the hopes of a bipartisan group of senators who want to reclaim congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments.
The vote, which would come after consideration in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, could take place just before the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. It would repeal the 2002 measure that greenlighted that March 2003 invasion, along with a separate 1991 measure that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War to expel Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s forces from Kuwait.
“Every year we keep this authorization to use military force on the books is another chance for a future president to abuse or misuse it,” Schumer said. “War powers belong squarely in the hands of Congress, and that implies that we have a responsibility to prevent future presidents from hijacking this AUMF to bumble us into a new war.” He was referring to the Authorization for Use of Military Force.
The bill, led by Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Todd Young, R-Ind., passed the Senate Foreign Relations panel and the then- Democratic-led House in 2021. But it never came up for a vote in the full Senate, despite significant bipartisan support.
The Iraq war authorizations “are no longer necessary, serve no operational purpose, and run the risk of potential misuse,” Kaine said Thursday.
The House is now led by Republicans, and it’s unclear if leaders would bring the bill up for a vote. Forty-nine House Republicans supported the legislation two years ago, but current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy opposed it.
The Biden administration has supported the move, arguing that ending the war authorization against Iraq of the Saddam Hussein era would make clear that the Iraq government of today is a partner of the United States. It would also remove a grievance for rival Iran to exploit, State Department officials have said.
But Republican opponents have argued that revoking the two authorizations for military force would signal U.S. weakness to Iran.
“The ayatollah is listening to this debate,” Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said, referring to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, when the panel debated the legislation two years ago.
Republicans also pointed out that President Donald Trump’s administration had cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani.
Supporters of the repeal said presidents should instead come to Congress.
“The framers gave Congress the grave duty to deliberate the questions of war and peace, but for far too long this body has abdicated this duty,” said Texas Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican sponsor of the bill in the House. “We must do our job.”
Sheikh Mohamed and Iraqi PM reviewed avenues of joint cooperation across economic, trade, investment and developmental sectors….reports Asian Lite News
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa’ Al Sudani discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations and prospects for joint cooperation and action.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the Iraqi prime minister at Qasr Al Watan and reviewed with him avenues of joint cooperation across economic, trade, investment and developmental sectors.
The two sides also took stock of the latest regional and global issues of mutual interest and exchanges views on them, affirming their identical visions towards many these issues, especially efforts aimed at finding peaceful settlements to regional disputes and crises and pushing diplomatic efforts to fulfil aspirations of the peoples in the region for stability and prosperity.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Sheikh Mohamed extended his greetings to Al Sudani on the occasion of Iraq’s hosting of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji Zain 25) in Basra, highlighting his happiness at the compassion and friendly sentiments between the Iraqi people and the rest of the region, and noting that he is happier about Iraq’s security and stability.
The bilateral ties between the UAE and Iraq are deep-rooted, he added, noting that Iraq is a special country for the Emirati people, and the UAE supports whatever must be done to realise the interests of the Iraqi people and achieve Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and prosperity. He then wished Al Sudani success in leading Iraq to overall development.
Al Sudani thanked President Sheikh Mohamed for the warm welcome and hospitality he received, lauding the UAE’s historic stance to support Iraq.
“We are happy to be among our peoples, and we shall strengthen the historic ties between our countries,” he said, highlighting Iraq’s keenness to continue strengthening its cooperation with the UAE.
“Today, Iraq welcomes its partners, most notably the UAE,” he added, noting the mutual history and destiny of the two countries, as well as the many opportunities that could benefit them and their peoples.
Al Sudani then pointed out that his country has experienced many hardships, but it has managed to overcome them, stressing that Iraq is part of the current solution in the region and will regain its leading role, due to the support of the UAE and other fraternal countries.
Meeting with VP
Later, the Iraqi PM has also met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Za’abeel Palace in Dubai.
Welcoming the Iraqi Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed expressed the hope that the visit would mark the start of a new phase of strengthened bilateral relations between the UAE and Iraq that will serve the interests of the people of the two countries.
The meeting explored new pathways for enhancing cooperation, against the backdrop of the changing global landscape, in various fields, especially trade and investment.
The meeting also exchanged perspectives on a number of regional and global issues of common interest and efforts to enhance economic growth, stability and peace in the region.
Visited Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The Iraqi Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation also visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as part of his official visit to the UAE.
Al Sudani commenced the tour by visiting the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, recalling his fine qualities and wise approach that established the culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace among various nations worldwide.
Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, accompanied the Iraqi Prime Minister on a tour of the mosque’s halls and external corridors, during which they were briefed about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s noble message that promotes the practice of tolerance, and openness to the world’s nations.
They also learned about the mosque’s history, its collection, and aesthetic features of Islamic art and architecture that manifest in every corner of this grand edifice.
At the end of the visit, he was presented with two of the Centre’s distinctive publications. The first is titled “Spaces of Light,” showcasing the winning photographs in the “Spaces of Light” photography award, annually organised by the Centre to celebrate the mosque’s scenic aesthetics and visual culture. The other is a copy of a book titled “Houses of God” about places of worship in Islamic history, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.(photo:Twitter)
During Faisal’s meeting with al-Sudani on Thursday, the two officials “discussed bilateral relations, strengthening cooperation in various fields…reports Asian Lite News
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid said his country is keen to strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia at various levels and continue its coordination and consultation with the kingdom on regional and international issues of common concern.
Rashid made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Presidency.
It is the Saudi top diplomat’s first visit to Iraq since the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani took office in October last year, reports Xinhua news agency.
During Faisal’s meeting with al-Sudani on Thursday, the two officials “discussed bilateral relations, strengthening cooperation in various fields, and coordination on regional and international issues,” according to a statement released by the media office of the Prime Minister.
In a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein shortly after Faisal’s arrival, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest development in the region, said a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad.
“The relations between the two countries are witnessing a great positive momentum” and the two sides “are working closely to continue the momentum to deepen coordination on the economic and development front and support Baghdad’s efforts to consolidate prosperity, stability, and growth,” Faisal told a joint press conference with Hussein after their meeting.
For his part, Hussein said Iraq was coordinating with Saudi Arabia regarding oil policy within the framework of OPEC and OPEC+, and carrying out intensive cooperation in bilateral trade and investment.
Iraq has been cooperating with Saudi Arabia in the security field and the fight against drug gangs, the top diplomat said, adding the two countries are also strengthening cooperation to reduce the tension in the region.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and French President Emmanuel Macron(https://twitter.com/mohamedshia)
Iraq also attempts to restore the direct flight between Baghdad and Paris and to have the ban on the country’s airlines lifted…reports Asian Lite News
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s visit to France was aimed at enhancing the bilateral partnership, securing French support for Iraq’s reconstruction and restoring non-stop flights between the two countries.
“The visit comes in the context of strengthening partnership, enhancing cooperation in the field of combating terrorism,” and seeking to attract greater participation of French enterprises in the reconstruction of Iraq, Xinhua news agency quoted Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahaf as saying.
Iraq also attempts to restore the direct flight between Baghdad and Paris and to have the ban on the country’s airlines lifted, he added.
Leading a high-level government delegation, the Prime Minister left on Thursday for Paris on an official visit, according to his office.
Upon his arrival in Paris, he met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
In a tweet on Saturday, the Prime Minister said: “A short while ago, (my) friend Macron and I signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which lays down a roadmap for expanding the horizons of cooperation between our two countries, in various fields.
“We will continue to work with friends for serious partnerships that guarantee Iraq achieving economic reform and sustainable development, as we drew and planned in the government program.”
The past years have witnessed deepened relations between Iraq and France.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Iraq in 2020 and 2021, while France’s TotalEnergies signed a deal with the Iraqi government in 2021, agreeing to invest in oil, gas and renewables projects in southern Iraq for 25 years.
India strongly condemns the recent killings in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The militants were spotted by Iraqi forces in a rocky area near the town of Tuz Khurmato, which is located in eastern Salahudin…reports Asian Lite News
The Iraqi military said that it killed two IS militants in an airstrike in Salahudin province, north of Baghdad.
According to a statement from the Joint Operations Command’s media office on Saturday, the militants were spotted by Iraqi forces in a rocky area near the town of Tuz Khurmato, which is located in eastern Salahudin. They were killed when Iraqi airplanes attacked their position with an airstrike.
Meanwhile, a roadside bomb explosion wounded two soldiers of the government forces in the eastern Diyala province on Saturday, Colonel Alaa al-Saadi from the Diyala police said, adding the soldiers were hunting down IS militants in orchards near the provincial capital Baquba, Xinhua news agency reported.
The security situation in Iraq has been improving since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS militants have since melted into urban centres, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani during a joint press conference in Tehran. (Iranian Presidential Website)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi meets Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to improve bilateral ties and safeguard regional security…reports Asian Lite News
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said here Tuesday that Iran and Iraq have agreed to work together to improve bilateral ties and safeguard regional security.
Making the remarks in a joint press conference with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, the Iranian president said that security, peace and stability in the region are very important for both governments.
“Therefore, fighting terrorist groups, organized crimes, drug trafficking and any insecurity that threatens the region is part of the agreements and common will of the two countries,” he said after the meeting with al-Sudani who arrived in the capital Tehran earlier in the day.
“The presence of foreigners in the region does not create security in any way, rather it adds to problems,” Raisi said.
Just as the Americans’ presence in Afghanistan and Iraq was not a factor that contributes to security, their presence is not an advantage in other parts of the region, and their (American forces’) withdrawal from the region can definitely contribute to the the region’s security, he added.
As to economic and commercial cooperation, Raisi said the Iraqi delegation’s visit can facilitate the dealing of the monetary and banking issues as well as electricity and gas exports to Iraq.
Raisi said al-Sudani’s visit was a turning point in the relations between the two countries, hoping that the visit will be a big step towards improving relations.
For his part, al-Sudani said that his visit to Tehran is aimed at discussing bilateral economic, political and security issues as well as reviewing the latest international developments.
He stressed that his government would not allow Iraq to become “the starting point for harming the countries of the region,” said al-Sudani.
He also emphasized the importance of carrying out cooperation to fight against terrorism and drugs.
“We respect Iran’s stance in supporting Iraq in the export of electricity, and urge that the export continue until the completion of Iraq’s electricity and gas production projects,” said al-Sudani.
Talks regarding the export of Iran’s crude oil and its by-products to Iraq will be held between the officials of the two countries in subsequent meetings, he said.
NUCLEAR PLANT
Iran began the construction of a new nuclear power plant in its southwestern province of Khuzestan, Nour news agency reported.
Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and some local officials witnessed the start of construction of the 300-megawatt Karoon nuclear power plant, which will install a pressurized light water reactor that uses 4-percent enriched uranium oxide as the fuel.
Iran has started building nuclear power plants at “a high speed,” Eslami said, adding the Karoon plant will help Iran reach the goal of increasing the share of nuclear energy to about 20 percent of the overall electricity basket. Iran plans to spend 1.5 to 2 billion U.S. dollars and eight years to build the Karoon plant, according to Nour news agency.
The 1,000-megawatt Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is the first civilian nuclear power plant in Iran, began supplying electricity in September 2011 with the cooperation of Russia
Brussels: Flags of the European Union fly outside the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong/IANS)
Ties with EU
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Aabdollahian has held a phone conversation with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on issues of mutual concerns, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.
During the conversation, Amir-Aabdollahian thanked the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy for his role on the path of dialogue and interaction, the ministry said on its website.
He meanwhile lodged criticism against the “diplomatically-impolite rhetoric” of one or two European ministers, saying they were under the influence of wrong information, which could do damage to the bloc’s strategic goals.
The top Iranian diplomat urged Borrell to play his important role in preventing the bloc from making “unconstructive” moves in bilateral relations, according to the ministry.
The two sides also discussed the latest developments of the Vienna negotiations for reviving the Iranian 2015 nuclear deal, and cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
For his part, Borrell underscored his efforts to facilitate an agreement among all sides.
Iran signed the nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed its sanctions on Iran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.
The talks on the JCPOA’s revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough had been achieved after the latest round of negotiations in early August.
protests in Iran.(Photo:iranhr.net)
Hijab Protests
Iran’s National Security Council announced on Saturday that more than 200 people have lost their lives in recent “riots” in the country.
“Investigations by the authorities show that as a result of the aforementioned riots, more than 200 people have lost their lives,” the council said in a statement released by the official IRNA news agency.
The casualties include security officers, civilians, “rioters” and “armed anti-revolutionary members of separatist groups,” it added.
The “riots” that erupted after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini were not “a civil protest” but “destruction and violence,” the council noted.
“Any disturbance in public order and illegal gatherings at any level and place will be dealt with decisively and without tolerance,” it vowed.
In September, Amini died in a Tehran hospital a few days after collapsing at a police station, sparking protests across Iran. The protests first erupted in her native province of Kurdistan and then spread to other Iranian cities including the capital Tehran.
As scepticism grew over China’s investments in the region and globally, Iraq has begun efforts to limit the growing influence of China…reports Asian Lite News
Iraq has begun rebuffing Chinese investment proposals to move away from Chinese dependence.
As scepticism grew over China’s investments in the region and globally, Iraq has begun efforts to limit the growing influence of China, reported Asian Lite International. By May 2022, Iraq’s Oil Ministry had forestalled three major deals with Chinese companies that would have allowed them greater control of oil fields
These agreements include Russia’s Lukoil, Britain’s BP and American oil major Exxon Mobil which wanted to sell stakes in major fields to Chinese state-backed firms. However, Iraq’s Oil Ministry has intervened to stop these deals from materializing, reported Asian Lite International.
Oil has always been a key factor in world politics. And in the 21st century, its significance has increased even more as energy has become a significant driver of economic growth.
The Middle East and specifically Iraq are one of the richest lands in terms of oil reserves. And therefore, Iraq has become important for Chinese foreign policy. It is said that the country is the third-largest oil supplier for Beijing.
Beijing has been the topmost investor for Baghdad and the latter has benefitted the most from the Belt and Road initiative with the receipt of USD 10.5 billion for infrastructure projects such as a power plant and an airport, reported Asian Lite International.
However, Baghdad has been sceptical of China’s growing influence in the oil industry that was also perceived unfavourably by the Western oil companies, which remain crucial markets for the Iraqi oil industry, reported Asian Lite International.
The officials from the government of Iraq have been constantly expressing their grave concerns about the speed at which Beijing is trying to take over Iraq in the oil sector.
A recent protest in Iraq’s south-eastern governate of Maysan, which is the headquarter of a Chinese oil firm China Petroleum Engineering and Construction has already hinted towards growing unrest in the country with regard to the expansionist ambitions of China concerning the Iraqi oil industry, reported Asian Lite International.
According to analysts, China is leveraging the security vacuum which is resulting from the US withdrawal from Iraq in 2011. Beijing is doing so by aligning its state-owned firms with the militia groups so that it can reap the benefits in the oil sector.
For Beijing, Baghdad is the preferred trading partner in the Middle East and the largest oil supplier only next to Riyadh and Moscow. Apart from the energy reserves, one of the critical aspects Beijing wants to benefit from is Iraq’s strategic location near the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz – the two sites which are pivotal for the BRI, reported Asian Lite International.
Since the US had already withdrawn from the region, Beijing got the opportunity that it was long seeking. Its active role in Iraq’s reconstruction after years of war and conflict has given it a position of influence in the country.
China has already started reaping fruits from the opportunities presented in the aftermath of the conflict in Iraq and that too without getting involved militarily.
The Iraqi citizens are seeing this growing Chinese might in their country along the lines of colonialism. Hence, protests outside Chinese establishments have been occurring multiple times.
As one Iraqi official remarked, “We don’t want the Iraqi energy sector to be labelled as a China-led energy sector and this attitude is agreed by government and the Oil Ministry.” (ANI)
