Baghdad, Iraq- Syria’s transitional Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani arrived in Baghdad on Friday to represent Damascus at the 34th Arab League Summit, calling for deeper political, economic, and security coordination with Iraq, and urging broader Arab support for Syria’s stabilization.
In an interview with Iraq’s state-run Al-Ikhbariya channel upon arrival, Al-Shibani said, “We have high-level coordination with Iraq across political, economic, and investment fields, not just security.” He stressed that Syria and Iraq share a common geography, history, and security interests.
“The security of Syria is the security of Iraq,” he said, adding that cooperation has strengthened since what he described as the “liberation of Syria” on December 8.
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Al-Shibani reaffirmed the transitional government’s commitment to sovereignty and non-intervention: “We want Syria to be stable and safe, free of any foreign interference. Syria will follow Iraq’s lead in shaping bilateral ties.”
Al-Shibani is attending the summit in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on behalf of Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa.
No reason was given for al-Sharaa’s absence, according to a brief statement from his office. His decision to send a representative comes amid reported political controversy in Iraq, where the invitation extended to Syria’s transitional government last month sparked divisions among Iraqi political factions.
A draft of the “Baghdad Declaration,” obtained by the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday, calls for a comprehensive Syrian national dialogue involving all societal components. The draft also reflects the host country’s willingness to facilitate such a process in coordination with the Arab League.
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The declaration emphasizes respect for Syria’s territorial integrity, support for a comprehensive political transition, and rejection of external interference, while affirming the right of the Syrian people to determine their own future.
Iraqi state media reported that high-level Arab leaders attending the summit include Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yousef.
