Though he spoke with optimism about Iraq’s “promising future” before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Salih was emphatic about regional actors who seek to settle their disputes using Iraq as a battlefield, arguing that the country has seen enough bloodshed.
“We don’t want our country to be part of any regional or international conflict,”Salih told the assembly through a translator. “Nor do we want our country to be used to settle regional and international scores. Our people have paid a high price by wars and conflict.”
Iraq will not be a launching pad for aggression for any of our neighboring countries… We have had enough wars.
The president's warning comes in the wake of attacks on a pair of Saudi oil facilities earlier this month. One American official, speaking anonymously to CNN, suggested the attacks may have been launched from Iraqi territory.
Ryiadh has accused Iran of launching the attack.
Iran has denied any connection to the incident.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi on Wednesday to discuss the attacks, among other issues.
Reporter's code: 50101