During a speech at the opening ceremony of the Second Forum of Expert Women at the Council of Arab Economic Unity in Baghdad, Salih said that the world does not need a new outbreak of war in the Middle East.
“Today, Iraqis are focused on achieving national progress and will not accept leaders who continue to advance failed and regressive ideas,” Salih said according to a press release from his office.
“This unique time in Iraq’s history cannot be squandered because of corruption or various political tensions,” he added at the conference, which was sponsored by Ammar al-Hakim’s Hikma Movement.
“The region, along with the whole world, does not desire nor need more war. Iraq’s successful campaigns against terrorists must be a starting point for peace, not more conflict, he said. It can be the basis for a new regional system based on integrated economies.”
Baghdad is closely allied with both Washington and Tehran, despite the tension between the two. The current government has made it clear that it seeks to steer a neutral course and focus on rebuilding Iraq following the devastating war against Islamic State.
Nevertheless, Iraqi leaders fear being pulled into a larger regional conflict.
On Sunday, Iraq denied that its territory had been used to launch a drone attack against an important Saudi oil facility claimed Houthi rebels.
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