Iraq urges regional security pact, says stability must come from within the Gulf

At a joint press conference with OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein described the regional security environment as critical and argued that stability must be generated internally. He reiterated Iraq’s proposal for a 6+2 security arrangement involving the six Gulf Cooperation Council members, Iraq and Iran, noting that earlier attempts received no response. Hussein said recent diplomatic outreach among Gulf states, Iraq and Iran could revive the initiative and that a meeting in Baghdad is being pursued.

He linked regional peace to economic development, citing Iraq’s Development Road linking the Gulf to Turkey and Europe and the need for Gulf investment in Iraqi infrastructure. The minister warned that foreign powers tend to pursue their own interests, whereas regional stakeholders should lead peace efforts.