UK £2 Issue 200, Year 4 April 7, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Haftar’s Erdogan’s campaign election for Tripoli setbacks Page 5 Pope’s visit to Morocco Page 15 Pages 6, 13 Iraqi president says Iraq is no country ‘for settling scores’ ► Salih is optimistic about Iraq’s future but without ignoring the “obstacles and challenges” ahead. Haitham El-Zobaidi of national sovereignty in a country and Ibrahim Zobeidi where regional and international actors are constantly racing to vio- late this sovereignty? Tunis “We want Iraq to be a meeting place for international and regional raqi President Barham Salih interests but in accordance with warned against allowing Iraq the interests and sovereignty of to become a battlefield where Iraq,” said Salih. “Our security, po- I rival regional and international litical and economic priorities re- players clash, saying that would quire us not to subscribe to policies undermine the security of all par- of following (political) axes or join- ties involved. ing specific trenches. It is not in the “We do not want Iraq to become interest of Iraq to take part in any an arena for settling scores,” Salih conflict or confrontation against its told Al Arab and The Arab Weekly neighbours.” in an exclusive interview on the Salih said that, despite US-Ira- sidelines of the Arab League Sum- nian tensions, both Washington mit, March 31 in Tunis. and Tehran understand that Iraq’s “The (Iraqi) government also instability would not be in their fa- will not let it happen. There ex- vour. “Even the rival international ists a serious national will to make and regional parties recognise, to Iraq a platform for convergence varying degrees, the importance of and encounter and a true meeting Iraq’s stability and success,” Salih point for common interests in the added. ‘Constructive steps.’ Iraq’s President Barham Salih speaks during an interview. (AP) region.” Iraq, he continued, “highly ap- preciates the role and support of Iraqi President Barham Salih the United States for the Iraqi gov- Nevertheless, Iraq also has Arab “Each time the Arab states and strategic dimensions between Iraq ernment in fighting terrorism and neighbours. During the past few governments take a step towards and the Arab Gulf states, especially “Each time the Arab states defeating the Islamic State (ISIS). years, the Arabs have made clear Iraq, Iraq will match it with several with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Iraq and governments take a “It is in our interest to manage moves towards Iraq, following steps and fast.” has insisted in more than one in- step towards Iraq, Iraq will and strengthen our relations with decades of a cold spell. The Arab “Iraq has taken constructive ternational or local forum, that its match it with several steps [the United States] in accordance League Summit was an important steps towards its Arab environ- gates are widely open to Arab coop- and fast.” with the interests of our people and milestone towards convergence. ment,” Salih said. “Most recently, eration and roles in reconstructing our country, in a way that preserves Arab leaders praised Iraq for de- it played a major role in holding Iraq and investing in it. This atti- Salih said he saw the role of his Iraq’s sovereignty and independ- feating ISIS, which was a threat to the tripartite summit with Egypt tude comes from Iraq’s pride in its post as “a symbol of the unity of ence and allows the Iraqi govern- the region with no exceptions. and Jordan and has emphasised Arab and Islamic depth.” the country and the defender of ment to face the challenges it has.” “The continuation of Arab sup- the need to consolidate joint Arab its sovereignty.” However, talking The Iraqi president said he sees port and understanding of the cir- economic integration in light of the Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi is an Iraqi about Iraq’s sovereignty is some- dealing with Iran from the point of cumstances of Iraq is important in sensitive conditions in the region. writer based in London. He is thing and recognising the reality view of an unavoidable geographi- the next phase of uprooting ISIS. “In addition, the Jordanian mon- the Executive Editor of Al Arab and the regional and international cal reality. “Iran is our neighbour. Political and security stability in arch and the Palestinian president Publishing Group. interventions in Iraq is something We have cultural and social ties Iraq is crucial to the return of dis- have visited Iraq and have had im- Ibrahim Zobeidi is an Iraqi else. with it, as well as common borders placed people and to the recon- portant discussions that will open a writer and US publisher of For decades, Iraq has been the of about 1,400km, which require a struction of liberated areas and new phase towards more construc- The Arab Weekly. scene of violent conflict and war at common set of security, economic Arab, regional and international tive Arab prospects.” the expense of its people. So, how and political interests between the support is important to achieving Salih said: “There are economic does Salih see his role as guardian two countries,” he said. those goals,” said Salih. exchanges and large projects with Interview P2 Tunisians watchful of dramas unfolding next door Oussama Romdhani parison to that of Libya, the fourth incidents for Tunisia to receive inter- nisians have been shyly coming to ability to drive through the common largest country in Africa (1.7 million national support and better secure terms with the fact that Algeria was borders are key factors in the liveli- sq.km) and even more with Algeria, the border after 2015. undergoing a dramatic leadership hood of the thousands of Tunisians Tunis the largest country in the continent During the last eight years, Alge- transition that they could not avoid who live off cross-border trade. That (2.4 million sq.km). ria has constituted an alternative comparing to their own 2011 regime includes legitimate commercial ac- ith unfolding develop- Tunisians themselves have always source of tourism revenue for Tu- change. More than anything else, tivity but also trafficking in all kinds ments in Libya and in Al- had a healthy awareness of their nisia. Millions of Algerian tourists their debates have reflected admi- of goods. Whatever the judgment geria in the background, size and of their limited natural re- compensated for the decision by ration for Algeria’s mostly peaceful passed on them by upper-lip bu- W Tunisia convened an sources and military power but they many European countries to stay protests, at variance with the vio- reaucrats for the legality of their ac- urgent meeting of its national secu- never looked at themselves or their away from Tunisia because of secu- lence that traumatised them during tivities — or the lack of it — traders- rity council on April 5 and decided to country as being “sandwiched.” rity fears. their days of turmoil. on-wheels have provided jobs and prolong its own state of emergency. They often felt their interests were Even more vital has been Algeria’s income when the formal economy Since the 2011 “Arab spring” upris- intertwined with those of their support to Tunisia in fighting the ter- could not. ings, in particular, Tunisians have neighbours. They saw the fallout rorist threat that lurked in the border Tunisians often felt their Those Tunisians who have be- realised the high degree of inter- from events next door affecting their mountains. interests were come used to customers, patients dependence they have with their country. In a recent interview with Al Ara- intertwined with those of and tourists with Algerian and Lib- neighbours. When it rained in Al- Civil strife in Libya has cost Tuni- biya television, Tunisian President their neighbours. yan accents breathing life into their giers or Tripoli, Tunisians held out sia billions in lost jobs and trade, al- Beji Caid Essebsi described his coun- businesses have been monitoring their umbrellas. though the steady stream of Libyans try’s relationship with both Algeria When Libyan Field-Marshal Khal- the news much more than report- International media have always seeking medical treatment or tem- and Libya as that of “one people in ifa Haftar announced April 4 that he ers and diplomats. They figure they had a knack at describing Tunisia as porary stay in Tunisia has made up two states.” was marching on Tripoli, questions have a lot at stake. They live each being “sandwiched” between Alge- at least partially for lost employment In this three-state constellation, quickly arose about the implications day as one people in three states. ria and Libya. Such a description is and revenue opportunities. Tunisia has been always too ab- for Tunisia. based on the appearance on the map The porous borders between the sorbed by its own domestic concerns Turmoil or quiet in the country’s Oussama Romdhani is Editor-in- of the small North African country, two countries were a source of con- to worry much about developments backyard is a national security con- Chief of The Arab Weekly. with an area of 163,610 sq.km. The cern as jihadists trickled back and in the neighbouring countries. sideration for Tunisia. The situation size of the country pales in com- forth. It took two serious terrorist That changed in recent weeks. Tu- in both Algeria and Libya and the P4-6 2 April 7, 2019 News & Analysis Iraq Interview Barham Salih: ‘The power of the state is measured by strength of its institutions’ The Iraqi president added that anyone else, are fully aware of Haitham El-Zobaidi he has “the duty to coalesce this reality because it has turned and Ibrahim Zobeidi national efforts.