Zaidi calls for economic investment in Iraq as Salam urges Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon Yasmine El-Sabawi on Fri, 09/25/2026 - 15:24 The Arab leaders touted wide-ranging structural reforms for their countries at the UN General Assembly, after years of conflict Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam address the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on 25 September 2026 (Ryan Murphy, Leonardo Munoz/AFP) Off The prime ministers of Iraq and Lebanon talked up wide-ranging governance reforms in their countries at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, but their remarks struck different tones as Baghdad cracked down on corruption and urged international economic investment, while Beirut grappled with Israeli occupation and bombardment. Iraq's Ali al-Zaidi, a relatively young and politically untested businessman, assumed power earlier this year, while Nawaf Salam, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and a former diplomat, assumed power last year. Both leaders were deemed friendly to Washington. While their mandates have focused on strengthening the power of the state and promoting an independent judiciary, Salam indicated that his government cannot build a unified, sovereign Lebanon unless Israel withdraws from the areas it illegally occupied earlier this year, following the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran on 28 February. "Lebanon is affected by developments in its surroundings. That does not mean, however, that we accept its becoming once again an arena for the conflicts of others or a bargaining chip in their hands," Salam told the General Assembly in New York City. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Lebanon's future will not be decided on its behalf, nor may its security and stability become the price of settlements concluded in its absence," he added. "We want the ceasefire consolidated. We want Israel to withdraw from our Lebanese territory up to our internationally recognised borders in accordance with the 1949 General Armistice Agreement and as affirmed by [UN] Resolution 1701. We want the release of all our detainees, the safe and dignified return of our people to their villages and towns, and the reconstruction of what the war has destroyed." In that spirit, he noted, Lebanon agreed to the negotiations with Israel that are being mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. French legal complaint says Israeli army uprooted and stole ancient olive trees from Lebanon Read More » In June, the Times of Israel reported that since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has seized more than 1,000 square kilometres across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and "has no plans to withdraw". In Lebanon alone, Israel now occupies more than 600 square kilometres of Lebanese territory along its northern border. Israeli forces have killed nearly 9,000 Lebanese since 2023, after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel for its onslaught in Gaza. More than one million Lebanese in the south have also had to flee their homes. "The success of any agreement is measured not by declared intentions but by fulfilment of commitments," Salam said. "What is required today, therefore, is to complete the translation of this [US-mediated] framework into practical steps within a clear timetable and with a verification mechanism that ensures the implementation of all its provisions." In reference to Hezbollah's Iran-financed military power, Lebanon's prime minister said his government must extend its authority via its national forces "over the entirety of its territory, with weapons held by the state alone". Salam also called for increased UN and international aid, adding that Lebanon has done its part to earn it. "Recovering the land does not mean only the withdrawal of occupying forces. It also means the return of its inhabitants and the revival of life in their villages and towns. The war has left behind a vast humanitarian crisis in Lebanon," he said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "We are shouldering our responsibility for reform... We are entitled to ask the international community to shoulder, in turn, its responsibility to ensure respect for Lebanon's sovereignty." Iraq, 'a global hub for energy production' For Zaidi, economic diversification in Iraq was a key focus, as his General Assembly remarks echoed those he delivered at the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC, in July. "Here, from the United Nations, we say to the world: Invest with Iraq. Iraq has resources, markets, a good location, and the necessary will to build a new economy," he told the General Assembly on Friday. Iraq, he noted, aims to reduce reliance on a rentier economy by expanding private-sector activity, production, exports, infrastructure, and investment across energy, industry, agriculture, transport, and technology sectors. Since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country's oil revenues - which make up some 90 percent of its state budget - end up in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Baghdad requires US approval for literal stacks of cash to be flown into the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Zaidi, a former banker, is keen on repositioning Iraq as a stable and economically viable state for foreign direct investment. To that end, his government has prioritised a crackdown on corruption, and in particular, a consolidation of weapons from Iran-backed militias in the country. "With the end of the international coalition's mission in Iraq, we are moving our relationship with our strategic partners to a new phase, moving from military cooperation to economic and development cooperation in service of our common interests," Zaidi said. "Our government is adopting an ambitious programme to increase the production of crude oil in a manner consistent with the size of our proven reserves. Our government is also working to develop gas fields and expand refining capacities and our capacities to produce derivatives," he said. "Our ambition is for Iraq to be a global hub for energy production and to leverage its potential to promote regional and international security and stability." A quarter-century after the 'war on terror' began, the American Middle East is over Read More » In that vein, Zaidi touted the developing energy corridor linking Iraq with Turkey, Jordan, and Syria, calling it "a vital gateway" to Europe. "Economic interests create prosperity," he said. "When the countries of the region are connected through ports, railways, power lines, trade, and investment, they have a greater interest in preserving stability." Without naming the US-Israeli war on Iran that has upended the region for the last seven months, he expressed "concern" for the "maritime navigation... crisis". "Iraq's vision is based on contributing to the region's transition from conflict to integration, from competition to cooperation, from resource depletion to investment in development," Zaidi said. "We extend our hands to everyone on the basis of respect for sovereignty, non-interference, good neighbourliness, strengthening mutual interests, and adopting dialogue as a means to address differences." United Nations News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0
The prime ministers of Iraq and Lebanon talked up wide-ranging governance reforms in their countries at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, but their remarks struck different tones as Baghdad cracked down on corruption and urged international economic investment, while Beirut grappled with Israeli occupation and bombardment.
Iraq's Ali al-Zaidi, a relatively young and politically untested businessman, assumed power earlier this year, while Nawaf Salam, a former judge at the International Court of Justice and a former diplomat, assumed power last year.
Both leaders were deemed friendly to Washington.
While their mandates have focused on strengthening the power of the state and promoting an independent judiciary, Salam indicated that his government cannot build a unified, sovereign Lebanon unless Israel withdraws from the areas it illegally occupied earlier this year, following the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran on 28 February.
"Lebanon is affected by developments in its surroundings. That does not mean, however, that we accept its becoming once again an arena for the conflicts of others or a bargaining chip in their hands," Salam told the General Assembly in New York City.
"Lebanon's future will not be decided on its behalf, nor may its security and stability become the price of settlements concluded in its absence," he added.
"We want the ceasefire consolidated. We want Israel to withdraw from our Lebanese territory up to our internationally recognised borders in accordance with the 1949 General Armistice Agreement and as affirmed by [UN] Resolution 1701. We want the release of all our detainees, the safe and dignified return of our people to their villages and towns, and the reconstruction of what the war has destroyed."
In that spirit, he noted, Lebanon agreed to the negotiations with Israel that are being mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In June, the Times of Israel reported that since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has seized more than 1,000 square kilometres across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and "has no plans to withdraw".
In Lebanon alone, Israel now occupies more than 600 square kilometres of Lebanese territory along its northern border.
Israeli forces have killed nearly 9,000 Lebanese since 2023, after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel for its onslaught in Gaza. More than one million Lebanese in the south have also had to flee their homes.
"The success of any agreement is measured not by declared intentions but by fulfilment of commitments," Salam said.
"What is required today, therefore, is to complete the translation of this [US-mediated] framework into practical steps within a clear timetable and with a verification mechanism that ensures the implementation of all its provisions."
In reference to Hezbollah's Iran-financed military power, Lebanon's prime minister said his government must extend its authority via its national forces "over the entirety of its territory, with weapons held by the state alone".
Salam also called for increased UN and international aid, adding that Lebanon has done its part to earn it.
"Recovering the land does not mean only the withdrawal of occupying forces. It also means the return of its inhabitants and the revival of life in their villages and towns. The war has left behind a vast humanitarian crisis in Lebanon," he said.
"We are shouldering our responsibility for reform... We are entitled to ask the international community to shoulder, in turn, its responsibility to ensure respect for Lebanon's sovereignty."
For Zaidi, economic diversification in Iraq was a key focus, as his General Assembly remarks echoed those he delivered at the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC, in July.
"Here, from the United Nations, we say to the world: Invest with Iraq. Iraq has resources, markets, a good location, and the necessary will to build a new economy," he told the General Assembly on Friday.
Iraq, he noted, aims to reduce reliance on a rentier economy by expanding private-sector activity, production, exports, infrastructure, and investment across energy, industry, agriculture, transport, and technology sectors.
Since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country's oil revenues - which make up some 90 percent of its state budget - end up in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Baghdad requires US approval for literal stacks of cash to be flown into the country.
Zaidi, a former banker, is keen on repositioning Iraq as a stable and economically viable state for foreign direct investment.
To that end, his government has prioritised a crackdown on corruption, and in particular, a consolidation of weapons from Iran-backed militias in the country.
"With the end of the international coalition's mission in Iraq, we are moving our relationship with our strategic partners to a new phase, moving from military cooperation to economic and development cooperation in service of our common interests," Zaidi said.
"Our government is adopting an ambitious programme to increase the production of crude oil in a manner consistent with the size of our proven reserves. Our government is also working to develop gas fields and expand refining capacities and our capacities to produce derivatives," he said.
"Our ambition is for Iraq to be a global hub for energy production and to leverage its potential to promote regional and international security and stability."
In that vein, Zaidi touted the developing energy corridor linking Iraq with Turkey, Jordan, and Syria, calling it "a vital gateway" to Europe.
"Economic interests create prosperity," he said. "When the countries of the region are connected through ports, railways, power lines, trade, and investment, they have a greater interest in preserving stability."
Without naming the US-Israeli war on Iran that has upended the region for the last seven months, he expressed "concern" for the "maritime navigation... crisis".
"Iraq's vision is based on contributing to the region's transition from conflict to integration, from competition to cooperation, from resource depletion to investment in development," Zaidi said.
"We extend our hands to everyone on the basis of respect for sovereignty, non-interference, good neighbourliness, strengthening mutual interests, and adopting dialogue as a means to address differences."
