Iraq invites new Syria government, president al-Sharaa to Arab League summit

Iraq has invited Syria’s new administration to the upcoming Arab League summit this year, amid ongoing debate within the country on whether Baghdad should cooperate with the new authorities in Damascus.

Speaking to the channel France24 on the sidelines of the Paris Conference on Syria.

Iraq’s foreign minister Fuad Hussein revealed that an official invitation is being sent to his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani for attendance at the Arab League summit, scheduled for May this year, with other officials – including Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa – included in that.

“Iraq is going to invite all Arab leaders, including Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa”, Hussein said, also affirming that the Iraqi government has no preconditions regarding talks or relations with Syria. The foreign minister stated, however, that Baghdad has its own views and policy concerns regarding the future of its neighbour.

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Particularly raising concerns over the potential resurgence of Daesh in eastern Syria, Hussein warned that those militants’ proximity to the Iraqi border poses a security threat, highlighting the need for cooperation between Baghdad and Damascus in order to better counter the terror group’s revival.

Border security is reportedly one of the key issues expected to be addressed by Syrian foreign minister al-Shibani, as well as the reopening of key border crossings. The new Syrian authorities will also, according to reports, hold talks on the status of Syrian regime soldiers and officers who fled to Iraq following the collapse of the late regime of Bashar al-Assad on 8 December.

The announcement of Iraq’s invitation for the Syrian interim government’s attendance at the Arab League summit comes at a time when there is ongoing disagreement by some in Iraq to communicate and cooperate with the new authorities in Damascus, with those allied and linked to Iran-backed militias particularly sceptical of such ties.

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