Al-Maliki calls for Arab unity against terrorism

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned today of a “wave of extremists” that were appearing in the region and urged for a “united Arab stance” against terrorism. In a statement released on Thursday by the Iraqi premier’s office following his reception of Arab ambassadors in Baghdad, al-Maliki said: “We stand by our people in their movements toward freedom and democracy without working or thinking on their behalf." Expressing a desire for enhanced political and economic relationship between Iraq and other Arab countries, al-Maliki said his country had survived its past security difficulties “by relying on national effort and unity.” He also urged additional Arab investments in Iraq. According to the statement, the Arab ambassadors present at the meeting had lauded the “progress” Iraq has made, both in its internal affairs and in its relationship with other Arab countries. They especially highlighted Iraq’s hosting of the Arab Summit as well as a recent conference on Palestinians and Arabs in Israeli prisons. Al-Maliki had warned on October 9 against the forcible toppling of regimes in the region in line with events in Syria, expressing his sadness at the recent re-emergence of extremist organisations in the region. He had also remarked in August that Iraq was part of a region “aflame,” adding that these flames were set alight either by “ignorant and spiteful” people or “foreign will.” The Arab region witnessed a wide-ranging wave of popular protests in 2011, demanding change and reform and expressing anger over corruption and dictatorship. These events, collectively known as the Arab Spring, have brought down the regimes of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia, Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, also forcing Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. Violence has persisted in Syria, with the death toll reaching 10,000. The movement has also extended to other Arab countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Algeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. Arab Spring states [Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Syria] are, however, mired in turmoil and instability amid occasional violent outbreaks.