Khaberni - Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the Iraqi Prime Minister, stated on Saturday evening that the Iraqi-Syrian relations are continuing based on a common strategic interest, we are in contact and have formed a bilateral security coordination committee, which continues to operate to this day.
During a television interview, according to the media office in the Iraqi government, al-Sudani said, "We spoke with the Syrian side about the necessity of establishing a comprehensive political process that includes all spectra with a clear stance denouncing terrorism, Daesh, and extremism."
He said, "Iraq is keen on the unity and integrity of Syrian territory and we have significant opportunities to improve the economic situation, including the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline for oil exports".
He added: "We are monitoring the security situation in Syria, which is experiencing growth in Daesh gangs, and Iraq is part of the international coalition to combat terrorism, and we have significant activities with the Syrian side in combating drugs, and joint operations have been carried out inside Syrian territory."
The Iraqi Prime Minister emphasized, "Our foreign relationships are based mainly on the interests of Iraq and the Iraqi people, which take priority over everything, and the sovereignty of the country and the unity and safety of its people are not up for discussion, and we fight for them".
He stated, "Our relationship with all Arab brothers is based on one consistent and unwavering standard without any discrimination, and we are proud of our Arab depth and our interests with them are as great as their dealings with us".
He mentioned, "The relations with the United States are special, as the US is a strategic partner to Iraq, contributed to the overthrow of the dictatorial regime, and helped us by participating in the international coalition against Daesh, and we worked to organize the relationship with the United States whether in the security or economic frame due to its possession of companies and technology that benefit Iraq".
Al-Sudani confirmed that "Iraq’s relations with both Iran and the United States gives it the strength to play a significant role in bringing them together, and we continue in these efforts to arrange a bilateral meeting in Baghdad".
He stated, "We advised the American side to deal respectfully with Iran and avoid threats and intimidation, because negotiations need trust and cannot be conducted in the midst of military aggression".
Regarding the formation of the political process in Iraq after the parliamentary elections, al-Sudani confirmed: "We do not monopolize power, power belongs to the people, and the largest bloc that forms the government is the one that presents the government's program".
He said, "The basis of our initiative is consensus in choosing the Prime Minister, and setting clear criteria to facilitate the choice and the appointment of the person tasked with forming the government, who must enjoy the trust of the people and possess a successful executive experience".
He added: "The second term is not a personal ambition but rather a readiness to take the responsibility and complete a project we started".
Regarding the presence of foreign forces in Iraq, al-Sudani mentioned: "There is no longer any justification for the presence of foreign forces in Iraq, and the constitution stipulates that no armed forces should exist outside the security forces".
He said, "Within days our armed forces will completely take over Ain al-Assad base, and the second phase concerns the Harir base, and we do not submit to any opinions, desires, or moods of others".
