French Foreign Minister urges Iraq to avoid Middle East conflicts

Jean-Noel Barrot began a regional tour in Baghdad, where he seeks to strengthen ties

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, right, welcomes French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Baghdad. AFP

Iraq should not be dragged into regional conflicts as it emerges from decades of instability, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday, during his visit to the capital Baghdad.

Mr Barrot began his tour of the Middle East with Iraq, where he is looking to strengthen bilateral ties and lay the groundwork for two key conferences on regional peace. During the two-day trip, Mr Barrot will hold meetings with senior officials in Baghdad including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, as well as members of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan regional government.

"France wants to stand firmly with Iraq during this sensitive period," Mr Barrot said in a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. "There is a principle of supporting Iraq in its political choices to build its future."

After decades of conflict and political turmoil, Iraq is showing signs of improved security and growing political stability. Violence has declined significantly compared to nearly a decade ago, allowing for reconstruction efforts and a gradual return to normal life in many areas.

However, the country is treading a fine line in balancing relations with the US and Iran, which are both allies. During the war on Gaza, Baghdad has been aiming not to be drawn into the fighting after pro-Tehran factions launched numerous attacks on US troops based in Iraq, as well as mostly failed strikes aimed at Israel. There have been no attacks for months now.

"It is essential for Iraq not to be drawn into conflicts it did not choose," Mr Barrot said, praising the government's efforts to "preserve the stability" of the country.

"We are convinced that a strong and independent Iraq is a source of stability for the entire region, which is threatened today by the conflict that started on October 7 [2023] and Iran's destabilising activities," he added.

Mr Hussein described Iraq's relations with France as "broad and historical", saying the two ministers discussed ways to boost them in all fields.

Iraq and France have been strengthening bilateral relations in sectors including energy and security. France has stationed troops in Iraq as part of the US-led international coalition to fight ISIS, which was defeated in Iraq in 2017, although some of its cells remain active.

Before his arrival, the French Foreign Ministry said Mr Barrot's visit will “affirm France's commitment to the stability of Iraq”, adding that he will discuss preparations for the third Baghdad Conference aimed at promoting regional stability and co-operation.

The conference, which is attended by nations from across the Middle East and Europe, has been organised by Paris and Baghdad since 2021.

Discussions will also cover France's “commitment to continuing the fight against [ISIS], in the context of the transition in neighbouring Syria and the repositioning of the American presence”, the ministry added.

The US said on Friday that it would reduce its troop presence in Syria by about half, cutting the number of soldiers to fewer than 1,000 in the coming months. Washington also agreed with Baghdad last December to withdraw US troops from some parts of Iraq following their presence there for a decade to help fight ISIS.

After Iraq, Mr Barrot will head to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia over three days.

Mr Barrot is in Baghdad as part of a two-day visit to Iraq. Reuters

The French ministry said Mr Barrot will also discuss preparations for another international conference, to be held in New York in June, on the implementation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France is co-organising the event with Saudi Arabia.

President Emmanuel Macron this month announced France's intention to recognise a Palestinian state as part of a broader diplomatic drive aimed at securing regional peace and setting up Arab diplomatic relations with Israel.

“What we want to trigger is a series of other recognitions” of a Palestinian state, “but also the recognition of Israel by states that today do not do so", Mr Macron said last week.