Iraqi PM calls for international support for reconstruction

BAGHDAD: The United Nations Security Council supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN Mansour Al-Otaibi said yesterday. The Kuwaiti diplomat's remarks came amid talks he held with Iraq's President Barham Salih, according to a statement by the presidency. Iraq remains committed to UN Security Council resolutions as it forges a path towards political stability, the statement cited the Kuwaiti envoy as saying.

The Iraqi president spoke of his country's earnest desire to support the UN Security Council's efforts to preserve peace and security all over the globe, which can only happen through continuous dialogue. "Iraq has defeated terrorism but now stability can only be achieved with the help of our friends in the international community," he said. The UN Security Council delegation arrived in Baghdad yesterday as part of efforts to "support the sovereignty and unity of Iraq," said the foreign ministry.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi yesterday said Iraq is working in the framework of a policy of openness to the Arab and regional environment and hopes to obtain international support for its projects in the reconstruction of cities affected by terrorism. A government statement quoted Abdel-Mahdi as describing the UNSC visit as an indication of the Security Council's support for Iraq and the changes it is witnessing in all areas and successfully overcoming the great political, economic and security challenges.

The Iraqi prime minister noted that his country has witnessed external and internal wars and campaigns of persecution and destruction and waves of terrorism and inherited the destruction of infrastructure and communal divisions and the destruction of wealth and human and material resources and large debts. "Despite all this, the Iraqis have been able to endorse the constitution and hold several legislative elections that led to a change and a peaceful transfer of power, a victory over terrorism and the liberation of their cities," he added.

Abdel-Mahdi pointed out that the deep crises and major challenges faced by Iraq deserve great international support for the reconstruction of liberated and affected areas. He also highlighted the efforts of the Iraqi government in the areas of economic reform and sustainable development, investment of natural resources, increasing agricultural production, working on extending the rule of law, achieving justice among the people, equality of opportunity and attention to women's rights and increasing their participation in political life.

Iraq's foreign policy is based on non-interference in the neighboring policy and focus on the many participants with neighboring and regional countries, in order to preserve security and stability and achieve the interests and prosperity of all peoples of the region and avoid tensions, crises and wars, said Abdel-Mahdi. For his part, Otaibi expressed happiness at the visit, which he described as historic. He stressed that the delegation's message is that they support Iraq, its unity and sovereignty, affirming that the international community stands by Iraq and supports the partnership with it through the efforts of the international mission in Iraq.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Al-Hakim later said his country is willing to fulfill UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. He hailed the UN as the international umbrella of the rights of all people around the globe, according to a foreign ministry statement. However, Hakim said his country needs more backing from the UNSC following the defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS), with the Iraqi government planning to pursue a reconstruction investment program. He elaborated that he had briefed the UNSC team on the current situation in Iraq and government efforts to ensure security and stability and to rebuild cities and towns retaken from the IS.

The UNSC delegation was in Kuwait Friday, where they met with Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. During their second visit to Kuwait, Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Alice Walpole briefed the delegation on the status of Kuwait's missing people in Iraq and the development within the file of Kuwaiti belongings stolen during the Iraqi invasion. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided a similar briefing. - KUNA