Biden, Iraqi PM to Discuss Partnership as Middle East Tensions Brew

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, April 15, 2024. (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, April 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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Biden, Iraqi PM to Discuss Partnership as Middle East Tensions Brew

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, April 15, 2024. (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, April 15, 2024. (Reuters)

US President Joe Biden on Monday reiterated Washington's commitment to Israeli security ahead of a meeting with Iraq's prime minister.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, speaking alongside Biden, said their views may be divergent about what is happening in the region.

The US-Iraqi relationship is at important juncture, Sudani said, adding that he would discuss moving from a military relationship to a full partnership.



Arab League Warns Against ‘Strife’ in Syria

The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Arab League Warns Against ‘Strife’ in Syria

The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Arab League has warned against “strife” in Syria, saying it was “following with concern the events taking place in several Syrian cities and areas with the aim of igniting the sparks of conflict.”

It said Thursday that it “rejects the Iranian statements aimed at fueling strife among the Syrian people,” according to a statement from the secretariat.

It did not specify which statements it was referring to.

Syria's newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, said on Tuesday that Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and Syria's sovereignty and security.

"We warn them against spreading chaos in Syria and we hold them accountable for the repercussions of the latest remarks," he said.

Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei lashed out on Thursday against unspecified media reports on Iran “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs” as “baseless.”

Iran was committed to “supporting the territorial integrity and national unity of Syria and the formation of an inclusive political system,” he said in a statement.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Syrian youth to "stand with firm determination against those who have orchestrated and brought about this insecurity.”

Khamenei forecast "that a strong and honorable group will also emerge in Syria because today Syrian youth have nothing to lose,” calling the country unsafe.