The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Salim Al-Jabouri said that his country will always stand in solidarity with fellow Arab countries and that a rift like the one that has developed between the Gulf states and Lebanon will not develop between the Gulf states and Iraq. He also expressed his wishes for the stability of Iraq and stated that his country sincerely intends to renew relations for the better.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Cairo yesterday, Al-Jabouri said that the establishment of a relationship between Baghdad and Iran or any other country is based on interests. However, he rejected any interference in the matters of Iraq or using its current weak state to manifest Tehran’s abilities to influence.

On the Iraqi parliament’s position to join the Islamic military alliance, Al-Jabouri said that “if the aim of the alliance is to beat terrorism, extremism and violence, then this is a good thing and we will support it”.

Al-Jabouri also discussed the internal situation in Iraq and stressed the need for the formation of a new government that is able to implement the reform and reconciliation program and the general amnesty. He added that the situation in Iraq will improve greatly this year with the defeat of ISIS. However, he stressed the need to develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve peaceful coexistence and collecting illegal weapons and revealed that an Iraqi parliamentary delegation intends to visit Saudi Arabia soon. He also requested reforms of Arab League mechanisms so that it is able to implement its resolutions and that the periodic convening of the Arab summit is maintained.