Move FM Global News

NEW YORK, New York – Iraqi President Barham Salih has told the UN General Assembly there have been enough wars in the Gulf and the region doesn’t need a new one.

Salih’s address came as tensions in the Gulf are at a peak following the extraordinary drones and missile attack on the Saudi oil infrastructure two weeks ago.

“Enough wars, we are not in need of a new war in the region. The last war against terror is not yet over,” he said.

“Our position is clear, we must champion dialogue rather than escalation.”

Mr Salih condemned the Saudi Aramco attack, describing it as a severely alarming development. He also expressed support for continuation of the fight against terrorism.

“We need regional and international cooperation to continue the fight against the scourge of terrorism,” he said.

“The tensions in the region give a space of terrorists space to grow. We must close those vacant spaces.”

“Corruption and terrorism are two faces of the same coin corruption is the economic backbone for terrorism,” he said.

He also described the Palestinian issue as “a wound that continues to bleed in the region.”

Despite challenges, the Iraqi president sounded a note of optimism.

“Iraq is about to embark on important positive endeavours,” he said. “There are positive turns in Iraq which we have not seen previously, with a bright future ahead.”

He also warned: “Iraq will not be a place to attack any of the neighbouring countries.”