Iraqi FM: Iran threat of violence unacceptable, calls for Kuwait meeting on waterways dispute

Iraqi FM: Iran threat of violence unacceptable, calls for Kuwait meeting on waterways dispute
Hussein said another meeting had been scheduled with Raisi in New York, during the UN General Assembly. (FILE/AFP)
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Updated 19 September 2023
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Iraqi FM: Iran threat of violence unacceptable, calls for Kuwait meeting on waterways dispute

Iraqi FM: Iran threat of violence unacceptable, calls for Kuwait meeting on waterways dispute
  • Fuad Hussein said policy adopted by Iraqi government was non-violent
  • Conceded Iraq had problems both internally and with neighbors, though

NEW YORK: Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has told Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi that any threat of violence against the Kurdistan Region or violation of Iraqi sovereignty is unacceptable to the government in Baghdad.

“The threat of attack or violence against the Kurdistan region and the violation of Iraqi sovereignty is unacceptable, a fact we have explicitly mentioned in Tehran. (The) Kurdistan Regional Government and (the) Kurdistan Region have adhered to the security agreement,” Hussein said in an interview with Al Arabiya’s Diplomatic Avenue.

“Therefore, we need Iran to adhere to the agreement and not use violence against Iraqi sovereignty.

 

“I do not expect any Iranian attack and I wish for even violent language not to be directed towards Iraq.”

He said he had attended separate meetings with Raisi and the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in which they discussed the security agreement between the two countries, made to prevent any cross-border clashes in the future.

Iraq, Hussein said, had upheld its part of the agreement.

“It is clear that the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government have taken the necessary measures towards the implementation of the security agreement, including the return of those who were in the border regions to camps, for whom five camps were established to live in,” Hussein said, adding that the task was completed in less than a week.

“Iran is well aware of this matter,” he added. “Second, we let them (the Kurds) choose between leaving, staying as refugees in the camps, or benefiting from the Iranian amnesty and returning there.”

 

He said the Iraqi contingent had invited the representatives of the Iranian Embassy and Tehran’s consulate in Erbil, in addition to Iranian, Iraqi and international media representatives, to visit the sites to witness first-hand what happened during the process and in the campsite.

Hussein said another meeting had been scheduled with Raisi in New York, during the UN General Assembly.

On relations with Kuwait, he said efforts would be made for a meeting in New York between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to clarify the situation over access to the Khor Abdullah waterway.

The estuary is Iraq’s only entrance to the Gulf, through which most of its oil exports and imported goods are shipped.

Iraq and Kuwait had previously struck a maritime border deal where the two countries shared access to the Khor Abdullah.

 

The deal drew a line down the middle of the estuary, stipulating that each country would exercise its sovereignty over the part which lay within their territorial waters.

But critics say the agreement is unfair and that Kuwait has no right to control any part of Khor Abdullah, which was historically Iraqi.

In 2013, the Iraqi Parliament approved the shared waterway agreement with a simple majority.

But earlier this month the deal was struck down by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court, which annulled the law ratifying the 2012 agreement. The judges ruled the 2013 law was unconstitutional and would have required two thirds majority in the Iraqi Parliament instead of a simple majority.

“The federal court is an independent entity and its decisions stem from this independence,” Hussein said.

“However, its decisions in general, and this decision in particular, will be revised in all aspects, namely the legal and political aspects, as well as revising the agreement relevant to these decisions.

“I believe that the correct way to resolve the problems between the two countries is dialogue as we have no other options,” he explained.

He said negotiations would be resumed.

 

“Our policy lies in building distinguished relationships with our neighboring countries. If problems emerge, we have no way to overcome them except through dialogue and negotiations.”

Hussein reiterated his commitment to peaceful resolution.

“This government and all Iraqi governments, after the changes, stress the fact that enjoying distinguished relations with the neighboring countries is the priority, namely those it went through wars and conflicts with. If issues arose back then, and some problems now exist, I believe they could be resolved through dialogue and negotiations.”

He said the policy adopted by the government was non-violent, “as we have no intention of going back to the old policies that have been buried. We are about to resolve all problems through negotiations and dialogues.”

Hussein conceded that Iraq had problems both internally and with its neighbors, though.

“The internal problem resides in the presence of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) in Iraq, whereas the Iraqi constitution prohibits the presence of such operatives or categories on Iraqi territory and the use of weapons against a neighboring country,” he said.

“This is part of the Iraqi constitution to which we adhere. However, this has been the case since 1991 or 1992. Nonetheless, this does not give the neighboring country Turkiye the right to military intervention and violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

“Once again, regarding Turkiye, we are holding a continuous dialogue and we will also be meeting here with the (Turkish) minister of foreign affairs to ensure the continuity of the discussions regarding the issue to resolve it.”


US allocates $73m to UNRWA amid funding crisis

Palestinians carry bags of flour received as aid to poor families, at the UNRWA distribution center, in the Rafah refugee camp.
Palestinians carry bags of flour received as aid to poor families, at the UNRWA distribution center, in the Rafah refugee camp.
Updated 42 min 49 sec ago
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US allocates $73m to UNRWA amid funding crisis

Palestinians carry bags of flour received as aid to poor families, at the UNRWA distribution center, in the Rafah refugee camp.
  • UNRWA requires between $170 and $190 million just to keep its services running until the end of the year

LONDON: US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced an additional $73 million in funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, Jordan Press Agency reported on Sunday. 

The ambassador said that the funding would help supply food to needy families, provide healthcare for children and pregnant women, assist students in furthering their education, and support people affected by the conflict through mental health services.

It will also provide emergency humanitarian assistance to residents of Jenin and Ain Al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camps, both of which have suffered from recent violence. 

Earlier on Thursday, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the funding crisis for Palestinian refugees in Jordan and other host countries has created an “absolutely unbearable” situation that could soon approach a tipping point. 

Lazzarini said that the agency required between $170 and $190 million just to keep its activities in Jordan, Lebanon, Gaza and elsewhere running until the end of the year. 

Jordan’s King Abdullah II told the UNGA in New York on Tuesday that the world must not abandon Palestinian refugees to the forces of despair. 

“In Jordan, where refugees make up over a third of our 11 million population, cuts have already thrown the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees into uncertainty. The impact of such humanitarian shortfalls is never limited to a country or region,” the king said.

Despite several UN member states pledging Thursday to boost their contributions to UNRWA, the agency still only has the means to provide services until October.


Kuwait, China sign 7 agreements for major construction work

Kuwait, China sign 7 agreements for major construction work
Updated 24 September 2023
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Kuwait, China sign 7 agreements for major construction work

Kuwait, China sign 7 agreements for major construction work
  • Projects include completion of port, renewable energy, low-carbon recycling, water treatment schemes

LONDON: Kuwait and China have signed seven memorandums of understanding on large-scale construction projects, Kuwait News Agency reported on Sunday.

The agreements were signed during Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s visit to Hangzhou at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games.

It was the crown prince’s second meeting with Xi since the Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit for Cooperation and Development in December in Saudi Arabia.

Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister Saad Al-Barrak described the visit as “very important,” with the government working to update its 2035 vision.

The first agreement is for completion of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.

“Around 50 percent of the first phase of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port is complete, and we seek to finalize the first phase in order to launch and operate the port as swiftly as possible,” Al-Barrak said.

“China excels in construction and other domains like management and operation of the port, so we have signed the MoU and will continue the talks on execution.”

Other agreements were signed for projects including renewable energy, creation of a low-carbon recycling green system, water treatment station infrastructure, and economic and free zones.

Jassem Al-Ostad, Kuwait’s minister of electricity, water and renewable energy, said the crown prince gave instructions to build renewable energy stations in order to supply clean and affordable energy, while also honoring Kuwait’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Another MoU outlines the development of advanced housing cities in Kuwait as part of the government plans to offer housing care for citizens.

During the visit, Sheikh Mishal and Xi discussed ways to expand bilateral relations.

Xi said that Kuwait was the first Gulf country to establish relations with Beijing in 1971, and that the Kuwait Fund was instrumental in providing loans to China in the 1980s.

The crown prince also met with Huawei executives to strengthen Kuwait’s partnership with the company in information technology and communication services.


UAE FM meets UN secretary general on sidelines of UNGA assembly

UAE FM meets UN secretary general on sidelines of UNGA assembly
Updated 24 September 2023
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UAE FM meets UN secretary general on sidelines of UNGA assembly

UAE FM meets UN secretary general on sidelines of UNGA assembly
  • Discussions focused on partnerships in humanitarian aid, renewable energy, climate action

LONDON: UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Emirates News Agency reported.

Discussions focused on UAE-UN partnerships in a variety of sectors, including humanitarian aid, renewable energy, climate action and sustainable development.

Sheikh Abdullah and Guterres reviewed the outcomes of the UAE’s membership of the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023, as well as its contributions to international peace and security, and humanitarian response operations and initiatives aimed at tackling global challenges.

The meeting discussed the UAE’s preparations for hosting the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in November in Dubai.

Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE recognized the need to expedite the global response to climate change to achieve peace and security, and that the country looked forward to leveraging climate challenges into opportunities that drove sustainable and economic development.

The two officials also addressed developments in the Middle East, exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest, as well as challenges to international peace and security.

Guterres thanked the UAE for its strengthened engagement with the UN and its hosting of COP28.

The meeting was attended by several UAE officials, including Reem bint Ibrahim Al-Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, permanent representative to the UN, Mohamed Issa Abu Shehab, deputy permanent representative to the UN, and Majid Al Suwaidi, special representative of COP28.

 


All 120 workers rescued after Nile cruise ship accident in Egypt

Nile cruise ships and feluccas are moored off the river bank of Egypt’s southern city of Luxor. (File/AFP)
Nile cruise ships and feluccas are moored off the river bank of Egypt’s southern city of Luxor. (File/AFP)
Updated 24 September 2023
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All 120 workers rescued after Nile cruise ship accident in Egypt

Nile cruise ships and feluccas are moored off the river bank of Egypt’s southern city of Luxor. (File/AFP)
  • There were no guests on board the ship, which was heading to Luxor Governorate in the south of Egypt

CAIRO: All 120 workers on board a Nile cruise ship that partially sank after it collided with a bridge have been rescued. 

The collision caused a hole in the lower right side of the Tivoli Nile ship in Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt, officials said.

There were no guests on board the ship, which was heading to Luxor Governorate in the south of Egypt.

The Public Prosecution is investigating the incident.

Authorities said they were working with the company that owns the floating hotel, while Mohammed Amer, head of the Department of Hotel Establishments, Shops, and Tourist Activities at the ministry, said the ship’s tourism operating license expired last May and had not been renewed.

It was recently at a workshop in Helwan, south of Cairo, for necessary repairs and maintenance work to allow it to operate during the upcoming winter season, starting next month.

Amer said that, after completing all maintenance work, the management of the vessel obtained a passage permit from Cairo to Luxor for the necessary inspections by Ministry of Tourism officials to renew its license in preparation for the start of October.

The River Transport Authority said that it granted a temporary permit for the ship to leave the repair shop to its own berth on Aug. 23 until it obtained the rest of the necessary licenses from the other relevant authorities.


Jordan, UK delegations review bilateral cooperation

Jordan, UK delegations review bilateral cooperation
Updated 24 September 2023
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Jordan, UK delegations review bilateral cooperation

Jordan, UK delegations review bilateral cooperation
  • Jordanian MPs advocated for increasing British investment in Jordan, medical tourism promotion

LONDON: The Jordanian-British Parliamentary Friendship Association met a UK delegation of Conservative MPs on Sunday in Amman to discuss opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, Jordan News Agency reported.

Dina Bashir, the association’s president, emphasized the strength of Jordanian-British relations, which she attributed to the country’s respective leaderships.

Bashir underscored Jordan’s commitment to political, economic and administrative modernization under the leadership of King Abdullah II, with the goal of improving Jordanians’ lives in a range of sectors.

Bashir expressed Jordan’s position on the Palestinian cause while applauding the king’s efforts to resolve the conflict on local, regional and international levels. She also emphasized the importance of Jordanian custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in sustaining the historical coexistence of Muslims and Christians.

Highlighting Jordan’s long-standing tradition of welcoming refugees, Bashir noted the influx of Syrian refugees and its impact on the host country’s infrastructure. She urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities toward Jordan so it could continue to play its humanitarian role.

Bashir campaigned for the expansion and marketing of Jordanian products in the UK, as well as boosting economic and tourism collaboration.

Several Jordanian MPs also advocated for increasing British investment in Jordan, medical tourism promotion, and British tourists visiting the country.

The UK delegation highlighted the need to strengthen bilateral ties in the economic, commercial, agricultural and tourism sectors. They also acknowledged Jordan’s critical role in the refugee crisis as well as its efforts to ensure regional security and stability.