Intel: Macron makes appeal for Iraqi sovereignty in visit to Baghdad
Iraqi President Barham Salih welcomes French counterpart as 'dear friend' of the country.
In the first visit by a Western leader to Baghdad since the country’s Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, was appointed in May, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Iraqi leaders on Wednesday.
The visit was held amid an economic crisis in Iraq and looming security concerns by the Islamic State (IS) and Iran-backed militias.
During a joint press conference, Iraq’s President Barham Salih called Macron a “dear friend” and noted the historical ties between the countries dating back to France’s role in Iraq forming after the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire. Macron’s Iraqi counterpart also underscored the recent definitive role that France has played in helping Iraq confront terrorism, which was a key talking point in Wednesday’s meeting.
“We don’t want Iraq to be a battleground for the conflict of others,” Salih said. “We want others to participate in achieving stability in Iraq and respecting its sovereignty and to prevent the interference in its domestic affairs.”
