France – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed, on Thursday, his country’s rejection of Israel’s “collective punishment” policy in Lebanon.
This came in his speech during the international conference in support of Lebanon and its sovereignty, which was opened by French President Emmanuel Macron, in Paris, according to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, which it published on its website.
The statement stated that Minister Hussein warned of “the seriousness of the situation in the region.”
Hussein pointed out, “The danger of the war expanding in the region due to the continued attacks by the Israeli entity on the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples, which represents a violation of the principles of international humanitarian law.”
He called on the international community to “take urgent action to stop these attacks.”
The Iraqi Foreign Minister stressed his country’s “steadfast” support for Lebanon.
He stressed “the necessity of respecting its sovereignty and security, and rejecting the policy of collective punishment followed by the Israeli entity, including targeting the health sector and its workers.”
He called for “an immediate cessation of these violations and adherence to international conventions applicable in armed conflicts.”
Minister Hussein reviewed his country’s efforts to provide support to Lebanon since the outbreak of the war, as “the Iraqi government took the initiative to open an air bridge to transport humanitarian and medical aid via 7 aircraft with a total of 75 tons.”
He also pointed out that “Iraq facilitated the entry of displaced Lebanese into its territory without the need for travel documents, contenting itself with identity cards, as an affirmation of its solidarity with the Lebanese people.”
Hussein warned, “The continuation of the conflict in the region will give terrorist organizations such as ISIS an opportunity to reorganize its ranks, which constitutes a serious threat to regional and international security.”
He called for “stopping the escalation and resorting to the logic of peace, not war.”
The Iraqi minister stressed “the importance of concerted international efforts to reduce this conflict.”
He expressed his hope that the conference would result in concrete steps to end the aggression against Lebanon, return the displaced to their homes safely, and ensure humanitarian aid reaches all those in need.
The Paris conference comes in response to an appeal launched by the United Nations to raise at least $400 million to help displaced Lebanese.
After clashes with factions in Lebanon, including the Lebanese factions, which began after Israel launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, Tel Aviv has since September 23 expanded the scope of the genocide to include most regions of Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut, through raids. Air force, and also began a ground invasion in its south.
The aggression against Lebanon resulted in a total of 2,574 dead and 12,000 wounded, including a large number of women and children, and about 1,400,000 displaced persons. Most of the victims and displaced persons were recorded after September 23, according to Anatolia’s monitoring of the latest Lebanese official data.
Every day, the Lebanese factions respond by launching missiles, drones, and artillery shells targeting military sites, intelligence headquarters, military gatherings, and settlements. While Israel announces some of its human and material losses, military censorship imposes a strict blackout on most of the losses, according to observers.
Anatolia
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Interview with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Israel’s Policy in Lebanon
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Hussein. You recently spoke out against Israel’s collective punishment policy in Lebanon. Can you elaborate on what you mean by “collective punishment” and why it is a concern for Iraq?
Fuad Hussein: Thank you for having me. Collective punishment refers to actions taken against a population in response to the actions of individuals. It is deeply concerning because it violates the principles of international humanitarian law. The ongoing attacks that Israel has launched against the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples create a volatile situation and could lead to an escalation of conflict in the region.
Interviewer: You mentioned the importance of international action. What immediate steps do you believe the international community should take to address this situation?
Fuad Hussein: The international community must act urgently to halt these attacks and pressure Israel to respect the sovereignty of Lebanon. This includes engaging diplomatic measures, providing humanitarian aid, and ensuring compliance with international conventions applicable in armed conflicts. We cannot afford to allow this violence to continue unchecked.
Interviewer: Iraq has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Lebanon during this crisis. Can you tell us more about those efforts?
Fuad Hussein: Certainly. Iraq has initiated an air bridge to deliver humanitarian and medical aid to Lebanon. So far, we have sent 75 tons of aid through seven aircraft. Additionally, we made it easier for displaced Lebanese to seek refuge in Iraq by allowing entry based only on identity cards, bypassing the need for travel documents. This is our way of standing in solidarity with the Lebanese people during these challenging times.
Interviewer: You also highlighted concerns about terrorist organizations taking advantage of ongoing conflicts. Can you explain that potential threat in more detail?
Fuad Hussein: Yes, the persistence of conflict in the region creates a power vacuum that terrorist organizations, like ISIS, could exploit to strengthen their ranks. This not only poses a threat to Lebanon but to the entire region. A united front against these groups is essential, and stability in Lebanon is crucial to preventing such an outcome.
Interviewer: Thank you, Minister Hussein, for shedding light on these pressing issues. Your insights and Iraq’s support for Lebanon are vital in these difficult times.
Fuad Hussein: Thank you for having me. It’s critical that we continue to work together for peace and security in our region.
Fuad Hussein: Certainly. Iraq has demonstrated its steadfast support for Lebanon during this challenging time. We opened an air bridge to transport humanitarian and medical aid, sending seven aircraft with a total of 75 tons of supplies. Additionally, we facilitated the entry of displaced Lebanese citizens into Iraq using only identity cards, thereby affirming our solidarity with the Lebanese people.
Interviewer: With the escalation of violence, how do you foresee the consequences for regional stability, particularly regarding groups like ISIS?
Fuad Hussein: The ongoing conflict presents a significant risk of allowing terrorist organizations like ISIS to regain strength and reorganize. This poses a serious threat not only to regional security but also to international peace. Therefore, it is essential that we prioritize de-escalation and pursue dialogues aimed at a peaceful resolution to prevent further destabilization.
Interviewer: As you participated in the international conference in Paris, what are your hopes for its outcomes regarding Lebanon?
Fuad Hussein: I hope the conference leads to concrete actions that will not only end the aggression against Lebanon but also ensure the safe return of displaced individuals to their homes. Furthermore, facilitating humanitarian aid to those in dire need is critical. The United Nations has called for significant financial support, and we must answer this call promptly to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people.
Interviewer: Thank you, Minister Hussein, for your insights on these pressing issues. Your commitment to humanitarian efforts and regional stability is commendable.
Fuad Hussein: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these vital matters. It’s essential that we all work together for peace and respect for human rights in the region.
