Iraqi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Current Tensions Demand Dialogue between Regional Countries

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Abdulaziz al-Numan)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Abdulaziz al-Numan)
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Iraqi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Current Tensions Demand Dialogue between Regional Countries

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Abdulaziz al-Numan)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Abdulaziz al-Numan)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said his country was suffering the consequences of fighting and destruction, emphasizing the need for dialogue to ease tension in the region.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Hussein, who was on an official visit to Riyadh, noted that security and political instability in Iraq affected the country’s neighbors, including the Gulf states, while the situation in Syria also had an impact on the Iraqi interior.

“Tensions in the region affect the internal Iraqi arena, as well as the internal situation of Saudi Arabia and other countries. In order to eliminate tension, we need honest discussions and debates. National security cannot be guaranteed without the security of the regional environment,” he said.

Hussein noted that the escalation of conflicts to a state of violence leads to fighting and wars, and the result is devastation.

“We, in Iraq, are victims of devastation, whether in the infrastructure or at the social, cultural and economic levels… all of which are a result of armed conflicts. Therefore, in order to reach a healthy condition, we need security and safety, and for that purpose, we need to create an appropriate atmosphere for dialogue,” the Iraqi minister underlined.

On his recent meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Hussein said that talks have focused on bilateral relations and the various fields of cooperation between the two countries, including economy, energy, banking and investment.

He added that discussions also touched on the regional tension and its impact on the internal situation in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

“We need cooperation and communication to manage these crises and keep tensions away from the region,” the minister stated.

Commenting on the remarkable improvement of Saudi-Iraqi relations, Hussein said: “Historically, the relationship between the two countries passed through many stages and included some gaps, but during recent years, they have been bridged and many bonds built, as these visits are evidence that this relationship has developed. There are also tangible matters, such as the interests of the two countries, the two peoples and the region.”

Hussein said his visit to Riyadh was preceded by a visit of the Iraqi interior minister at the head of a big delegation that discussed with Saudi officials issues related to border security and commercial exchange.

He added that border cooperation was further revived with the recent re-opening of the Arar crossing following years of closure.

On the need to activate the mechanisms of joint action between Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the minister noted: “First of all, we were supportive and happy about the Gulf reconciliation at AlUla summit. Its success would yield positively on the Gulf states and the region, including Iraq. We have also built bridges for cooperation and progress in relations between each member of the Council, and we have good relations with all Gulf countries.”

As for major joint projects between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Hussein said those fall in the fields of investment, energy and electricity, petrochemicals, agriculture, housing, contracting and others.

“However, these investment projects are also linked to the political and security situation,” he said, noting that when security threats arise in a certain area, investments are suspended.

The better the security situation, the better the investments and the flow of foreign capital, he stressed, adding that many Gulf companies and investors were ready to invest in his country.

“Iraq has vast opportunities, as we need investments in agriculture, tourism, energy and petrochemicals, services, real estate and others. I believe that investors, especially in the Gulf, are waiting for a state of complete stability in Iraq in order to invest and bring in capital, and that Gulf companies can play a role in building the Iraqi economy,” Hussein emphasized.

He also underlined the high coordination in oil policy with the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, whether through bilateral collaboration or within the framework of OPEC.

“Saudi Arabia and Iraq play an important role in this organization, and coordination continues between the two countries in all fields related to energy, as it is a vital issue for the country's economy,” he remarked.

Hussein revealed a Memorandum of Understanding to import 400 megawatts of electricity from the Gulf network, adding that discussions were underway between specialists from Iraq and the Gulf States about the means to support power stations in Iraq.

“Besides the issue of electricity production, there is another problem in the distribution networks. So we need to build infrastructure for electrical distribution networks, and Gulf companies can play a role in that,” he said.



UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Since 2012, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's developmental role in Syria has been put on hold by the UN. However, the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime has revived this role.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, outlined plans for reconstruction in partnership with the new government in Damascus.

Abdelmoula expressed “great optimism” about Syria’s rebuilding but stressed that the key to rapid recovery is the “success of the transition.”

He explained that this means the transitional period—until a new constitution is agreed upon and an elected government is formed—must be secure and supported by consensus among all Syrians.

Additionally, momentum is building for Syria’s reconstruction, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries proposing an international donor conference next spring to raise funds.

Abdelmoula said the UN is consulting with the new Syrian administration to prepare projects and cost estimates for the event.

The UN is preparing aid and technical support for Syria’s new administration, along with a development plan focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring electricity, reviving health services, and supporting agriculture and irrigation to boost the economy.

“We’ve informed the new administration of our work through a letter sent to the foreign minister,” said Abdelmoula.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the UN’s “early recovery strategy,” launched last November, is still in place, though its fund has yet to be registered with the trust fund office in New York.

He promised to prioritize its registration and said: “When reconstruction begins in Syria, we will work to establish a dedicated reconstruction fund.”

As for relying on donors for rebuilding Syria, Abdelmoula said: “The UN doesn’t have the billions of dollars needed, but lessons from similar crises show the importance of focusing on strategic priorities, especially rebuilding the economic foundations.”

Abdelmoula noted that UN agencies can secure funding from donors who support development activities in various countries, a process that had been stalled in Syria for over a decade.

“Since the fall of the Syrian regime, many countries, particularly Arab and neighboring ones, have provided significant aid, and this is expected to increase,” he said.

“There are also positive signals from donors, especially Europeans, about boosting humanitarian aid, including continuing the annual Brussels Conference to support Syria,” added Abdelmoula.

He revealed that the mission has learned the European Union will resume hosting the conference this year, despite the fall of Assad’s regime.

The UN official addressed Syria’s sanctions, stating that those harming the Syrian people should be lifted.

He noted that the recent Riyadh meeting showed a strong intention from key international players to ease or fully lift the sanctions.

Abdelmoula pointed out the US decision to suspend some sanctions for six months and mentioned an upcoming EU foreign ministers' meeting to discuss either lifting or easing sanctions to support Syria’s economy, humanitarian aid, banking, and market access.

He explained that some sanctions are imposed by countries like the US, Germany, France, and the UK, which are discussing the best way forward. However, he said fully lifting sanctions may take time due to laws like the US Caesar Act.

Abdelmoula stressed that efforts should focus on reducing the impact of sanctions under the Caesar Act and working to pass new legislation to cancel it. He said this should also apply to sanctions from other countries in the form of laws.

He explained that lifting sanctions would make it easier for the UN and help both the Syrian government and people. A direct benefit would be Syria’s ability to access direct funding, concessional loans from international funds and the World Bank, and grants.

Abdelmoula explained that the UN’s humanitarian work in Syria focuses on helping people in need, regardless of which political group controls the area.

“Our efforts have included people in regions outside the former regime's control in northwestern and northeastern Syria,” he said.

As the UN Resident Coordinator, Abdelmoula represents the UN in the country.

“The government recognized until December 8 was Bashar al-Assad’s, which is why my credentials were sent to it, as is the usual practice,” he noted.

Abdelmoula also pointed out that the UN’s development work in Syria was halted since 2012 due to a UN decision.

“After the regime fell, we announced that we would resume our development work,” he affirmed.