Sudani to Tehran: We Reject Unilateral Actions by Any Nation in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Sudani to Tehran: We Reject Unilateral Actions by Any Nation in Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, in Baghdad, Iraq, February 5, 2024. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani informed on Monday Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian of Baghdad’s rejection of “any unilateral actions by any nation that violate international principles of mutual respect.”

Sudani received Ahmadian in Baghdad, stressing his country’s keenness on the principle of good neighborliness and establishing “the best relations with regional and world countries.”

At the same time, the relations must not be exploited at the expense of Iraq’s sovereignty and security, said a government statement.

Relations between Baghdad and Tehran have grown strained after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against a Kurdish businessman’s residence in Erbil in January, claiming he was collaborating with Israel.

Iraq denied the allegations and threatened to file a complaint against Iran at the United Nations Security Council.

Ahmadian underscored Iran’s “commitment to Iraq’s security and stability,” continued the government statement. This was Ahmadian’s first visit to Iraq since assuming his post in June 2023.



EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235-million-euro aid package for Syria and neighboring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

The trip comes two weeks after foreign ministers from France and Germany visited, calling for a peaceful, inclusive transition, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by countries seeking to engage with war-torn Syria's new authorities.

"I come here to announce a new package of humanitarian aid of 235 million euros ($242 million) in Syria and in neighbouring countries," Lahbib told a press conference in Damascus after meeting Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"Our funding will contribute to basic needs like shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, health care, education and emergencies among others," she said.

Neighboring countries have taken in millions of Syrian refugees over the years.

"We count on the authorities to ensure unrestricted and safe access for humanitarian actors to all regions of Syria including those in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas" in the east, Lahbib added.

"We are at a turning point and the decisions that will be taken in the coming days and months will be crucial," Lahbib said.

According to AFP, her meetings were expected to focus on the future of the sweeping economic sanctions that the 27-nation bloc imposed on Syria during Assad's rule.

The transitional government has been lobbying to have the sanctions lifted, but some European governments have been hesitant, wanting time to see how the new authorities exercise their power.

"We want to see a bright future for Syria and for that, we need to see the rule of law being respected, human rights, women's rights," Lahbib said.

"What I've heard from the mouth of the current authorities (is) really encouraging... Now we need action.

"Let's help Syria but without being naive," she said.