Your Excellency,
Your enlightening opinion to Asharq Al-Awsat last Sunday underscores the importance of cooperation among countries in the region to confront a number of challenges: The development of the capabilities of the Iraqi state and Arab countries to carry out reforms, combat corruption, meet the aspirations of the youth for the present and future and continue to fight terrorism and the culture of hatred and hostility. The countries must come together to confront the massive coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the future of the economy and mankind. Arab countries must stand side by side in building the present and prepare for the future seeing as our Arab peoples are united over their common identity and culture, one history and fundamental and constant interests.
In your article, you declared: “It is time for us to assert aloud that we, as Arab peoples, deserve to remember our common factors and our origin, and to support each other in rising to face tomorrow’s challenges.”
You also made an important statement: “It has now become necessary for us to interact with our neighbors from other nations, to engage in honest dialogue about our fears and concerns and to listen openly to theirs as well.”
You concluded your article by saying: “Stability, peace, cooperation, growth and common security in our region are strategic goals that will frame the next stage not as isolated perceptions or readings, but as an expression of a fateful necessity, the key word for which is ‘reestablishing trust.’”
Your Excellency,
Your article reflects a broad vision and a sense of awareness and responsibility of a man of state.
When I read your article, you were hosting the president of Egypt and King of Jordan in Baghdad. Prior to that, you had taken initiatives towards Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
When reading the joint and individual statements from each of these parties, as well as others in the Arab world, we realize that the problems are one and the same. We find major interests that can be developed for the sake of all Arab people. We find growing political and strategic wills to confront these concerns and tackle these strategic and constant interests, which as you have acknowledged, no one can shoulder alone.
Your Excellency,
The above is highlighted in an article published weeks ago by Asharq Al-Awsat entitled “The Role of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Arab League.” The article made an urgent and realistic call to renew means of joint Arab work. It also underlined the need to establish healthy relations with countries that neighbor the Arab world.
Your Excellency, many are the concerns and wounds that have threatened and continue to threaten our countries and their stability. The wounds of dear Iraq in particular pain us as much as they pain its people and state and the rest of the Arab world.
I see in your great determination, goodwill and diligence a major hope for the dear people of Iraq and its state and the rest of the people of the Arab world. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your generous aid to Lebanon, which is suffering due to mounting crises. The gesture is appreciated by every Lebanese person and every diligent Iraqi, who at one point in the past used to be Lebanon’s greatest trade partner. Iraq has always been a supporter of Lebanon, its people and state, as it strives to once again become sovereign, free, Arab and independent and capable of regaining and bolstering the desired rise aspired to by the Lebanese and its brothers and friends around the world.
Your Excellency,
I highly value your vision and the major strides that you have made in Iraq. I value your strenuous efforts to achieve joint Arab interests and bolster joint Arab cooperation. I am certain that your hopes will be met in Iraq and the rest of the Arab world. I believe that your drive will motivate officials in each Arab country to follow your lead towards a bright future.
