French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday that his country will continue to support Iraq after the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) and is looking forward to participating in the reconstruction of Iraq. On Monday, Drian arrived in Baghdad and held a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the Green Zone of Baghdad. The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields and means to support Iraq in reconstruction and stability, as well as discussing the situation in the region, according to a statement released by the Abadi office after the meeting. "Le Drian reiterated his country's support for Iraq in the reconstruction phase, stressing that Iraq's stability will be an opportunity and a model for liberation and construction in the region (in the Middle East)," the statement read. . Earlier in the day, Le Drian arrived in Baghdad on an official visit to meet with senior Iraqi officials to discuss bilateral relations, including France's participation in the Iraqi reconstruction conference held in Kuwait, as well as supporting Iraq in its war. against terrorism. Le Drian also met with Iraqi President Fuad Masoum, who hailed France's support for Iraq during the war against Islamic State (IS) extremist militants and praised his efforts in post-IS reconstruction of Iraq. A statement from the Masoum office said the Iraqi president stressed "the importance of France's military and humanitarian support for Iraq in its war against the organization (IS), as well as its efforts to mobilize support for the international community in Iraq ”. Le Drian also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri and the two sides reviewed the latest developments in the security and political situation in the region and around the world, as well as discussing the return of displaced people to their homes, according to a statement by the office of Jubouri. "Iraq is aiming for openness both regionally and internationally, in line with a new (political) vision to prepare for the reconstruction phase," Jubouri told Le Drian and his delegation. Jubouri also called for more attention to be paid to the return of displaced persons through the reconstruction of their cities devastated by the battles against terrorism, according to the statement. Earlier in the day, the head of French diplomacy said during his meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari that France will continue to support Iraq after the defeat of the IS group and is looking forward to participating in the reconstruction of Iraq, according to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. "I have come to Baghdad to emphasize our continued support for the Iraqi people in various fields and look forward to helping rebuild the infrastructure of Iraqi cities," Le Drian said after his meeting with Jaafari. Le Drian also said his country is committed to rebuilding the University of Mosul, which has been severely damaged by the fierce battles against IS extremist militants, and expressed France's readiness to open new horizons to strengthen relations. bilateral. The head of French diplomacy has revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Baghdad. For his part, Jaafari said that Iraq "will not forget the friendly countries that are at his side and support him in humanitarian, military and service fields, and we look forward to making their contribution to rebuilding the infrastructure of the Iraqi cities ”according to the statement. Regarding the Iraqi reconstruction conference held in Kuwait, Jaafari confirmed “we count on the active presence of the international community at the donor conference in Kuwait and on the continuation (of the world) to support the Iraqi people,” the statement added. “The partnership between Iraq and France is very important and we must make greater efforts to activate common interests and face common risks,” concluded Jaafari. In the evening, Le Drian flew to Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan to meet the Kurdish leaders, and was received by the regional prime minister Nechirvan Barzani, according to the Kurdish NRT satellite channel. Le Drian's visit came as Kuwait's international conference for the reconstruction of Iraq kicked off earlier in the day and will conclude on February 14.
