Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Affirms Importance of Stopping War and Ensure Return of Displaced People at Paris International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People

On 24 October, 2024. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein participated in the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, which was held in Paris. On President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative, and the attendance of heads of state and government and ministers representing 70 countries, in addition to the Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres, where he participated virtually in the conference and delivered an important speech in which he warned of the severity of the situation in the region. 

In his speech during the conference, Minister Fuad Hussein expressed the Iraqi government’s appreciation to France for hosting this conference, commending its role in adopting diplomatic solutions, including sending the Special Presidential Envoy to Lebanon Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian. As well the Minister underlined the need to stop the war, and the return the displaced people to their homes, stressing the importance of reducing the suffering of the Lebanese people.

The Minister indicated the threats of the war expansion in the region due to the continued attacks of the Israeli entity on the Lebanese and Palestinian people, which constitutes a violation of the principles of international humanitarian law, calling upon the international community to take urgent action to stop these attacks.

Iraq reiterated its firm support for Lebanon, stressing the need to respect its sovereignty and security, and rejecting the policy of collective punishment pursued by the Israeli entity, including targeting the health sector and its workers, calling for an immediate end to these violations and comply with international treaties applicable during times of armed conflicts.

The Minister reviewed Iraq’s efforts to provide support to Lebanon since the outbreak of the war, as the Iraqi government took the initiative to open an airlift to transport humanitarian and medical aid via seven aircraft with a total of 75 tons. In addition the Minister pointed out that Iraq facilitated the entry of Lebanese refugees into its territory without the need for travel documents, sufficing with identity cards, emphasizing its solidarity with the Lebanese people. 

At the end of his speech, Minister Hussein warned that the continuation of the conflict in the region will give terrorist organizations such as Da’esh an opportunity to regroup, which poses a serious threat to regional and international security, the Minister called for de-escalation and resorting to the logic of peace not war, stressing the importance of concerted international efforts to limit this conflict. 

Iraq also highlighted the need to implement Security Council resolutions related to stopping the war, while emphasizing on the protection of UNIFIL forces and ensuring their safety, additionally the Minister expressed his hope that the conference will result in concrete steps to end the aggression on Lebanon, safe return of the  displaced to their homes, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need.