A short but busy visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, accompanied by a large official delegation, to Paris, his first European stop since assuming the premiership, while Berlin will be his second stop before his return to Baghdad. The joint statement distributed by the Elysee Palace on Monday afternoon reflected the wide range of issues discussed by the two parties, at the level of President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, but also at the ministerial level between the two sides and with French companies, including Total Energies, which seeks to expand its presence in Iraq.
The Iraqi Prime Minister said, in an article published by Le Figaro newspaper on Monday afternoon, that his country represents the fourth proven oil reserve in the world, with an estimated 145 billion barrels. In the same article, Al-Zaidi presented his vision for the new relations that he wants his country to build with France, in which “Iraq will be an active partner, not a country that comes loaded with a list of demands or searches for a political umbrella.” In his view, his visit “acquires additional importance in view of its timing,” but also because it comes “at a stage in which a great deal of uncertainty prevails in the Middle East, where there has become an urgent need for regional, European and international efforts to contain tensions and restore calm to the region.”
In Al-Zaidi’s view, the importance of the visit “goes beyond the boundaries of bilateral relations between Iraq and France; “It allows Iraq to expand its circle of partnerships and involvement in Europe, and enhance its role in the collective efforts aimed at establishing stability in the region.”
According to the joint statement, the ultimate purpose of the visit lies in “strengthening the strategic partnership and friendly relations between France and Iraq.”
The statement consists of twenty paragraphs dealing with everything that happened during the visit, including the agreements, declarations of intent, and understandings that were detailed in a separate statement issued by the French presidency, including six agreements signed in the presence of Macron and Al-Zaidi. The note was the reference to the “shared vision” of the two parties on how to deal with crises in the Middle East and how to enhance security and stability there “on the basis of respect for national sovereignty, non-interference, good neighbourliness, territorial integrity, respect for international law, and resorting to diplomatic solutions to deal with the crises and common threats facing the region.” The paragraph contains an allusion to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, and the view of both parties that ending it must pass through diplomatic solutions.
While the joint statement included Macron’s praise of “the balanced foreign policy pursued by Iraq,” and “the role played by this country in establishing ties, promoting dialogue, and encouraging regional cooperation,” Al-Zaidi was keen in his article to present Iraq as a “platform for dialogue,” adding that it “will not allow its lands to be transformed into a base for launching threats against neighboring countries, or into an arena for confrontation between regional and international powers.” According to what he said, Iraq “is ready to host direct dialogues between the parties to the conflict whenever the necessary political will is available.”
The security file is one of the most important files discussed at the Elysee meeting. The joint statement stated, “In view of the positive role that France plays within the (International Coalition), the President of the French Republic and the Iraqi Prime Minister agreed to continue and deepen military cooperation, especially strengthening Iraqi capabilities, with the aim of protecting the borders and supporting Iraq’s sovereignty over its lands, within a bilateral framework that respects the sovereignty of the two countries, and it will be agreed upon later, after the end of the (International Coalition) mission.”
This understanding falls within the framework of the two countries’ desire to strengthen their relations based on the “bilateral strategic partnership treaty signed in 2023,” which France has already ratified, while Iraq is “intent to ratify it soon.” The importance of the security aspect is highlighted by the two parties reaching a “strategic road map for Iraq’s acquisition of French military equipment as part of its endeavor to rebuild and modernize its military capabilities.” The two parties also signed a “letter of intent” regarding “autonomous air defense systems” between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the French company “Harmattan AI.” Paris sees these two elements as “confirmation of the desire of both parties to continue their cooperation in the field of enhancing military capabilities and supporting Iraq for its sovereign missions.” One of the paragraphs of the joint statement stated that Al-Zaidi expressed his intention to “encourage discussions between French companies and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense in the areas of air traffic, artillery systems, counter-drone systems (C-UAS), and defense and air surveillance systems.”
The above reflects an Iraqi tendency to diversify its armament sources, and Paris is an appropriate entry point for this purpose. If it is true that it seeks to strengthen a multifaceted presence (politically, diplomatic, cultural, and health) in Iraq, it pays special attention to two main sectors: defense on the one hand, and energy on the other hand.
As in the defense sector, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity and the Total Energies group to supply Iraq with liquefied natural gas. In this context, Ali Al-Zaidi received the head of the French oil company, Patrick Pouyanné. The two parties also signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a program to rehabilitate and enhance Iraqi capabilities in the energy sector. However, France's oil and gas ambitions in Iraq go further than that. It was stated in the joint statement that Iraq agreed with Total Energies to enter into discussions regarding a number of energy projects “based on large-scale investments and aiming to enhance Iraqi oil production, contribute to increasing energy efficiency, enhance energy sovereignty, and support the energy transition” in Iraq. At a time when the world is suffering from a severe energy crisis, an agreement with a country that possesses large oil reserves is a very important achievement for France.
On Monday, the Syrian People's Assembly resumed its third session by listening to the Minister of Education, Muhammad Turko, and answering members' questions related to the education file, as was scheduled. Turko said that his ministry has two plans: An emergency plan to secure education for every child in Syria, and a strategic plan to develop the education system.
The minister pointed out that before the liberation, the number of students was 4 million and 300 thousand, and last year the number reached 5 million and 300 thousand students, expecting the number of students this year to reach 6 million. He attributed the increase to the return of refugees and the return of dropouts to schools.
The education sector faces complex challenges, linked to the specificity of each Syrian region, according to what was revealed by the interventions of council members. While teachers in Latakia suffer from poor distribution of the teaching staff, Raqqa suffers from the absence of school equipment and textbooks, while Al-Hasakah suffers from problems resulting from integration, and Deir ez-Zor has complete destruction of the school infrastructure.
In other regions, there is suffering from school dropout and inability to accommodate in schools, and the number of dropouts is estimated at two million students, for economic and social reasons, in addition to the lack of schools in a number of regions, according to the minister.
During the current year, 134 schools were opened in Aleppo, 50 schools in Idlib, and we are preparing to open 37 schools in Hama. 3,857 schools were also renovated, and 704 schools are currently being renovated, and this year 212 new schools were introduced into the educational system.
In another matter, the popular protests against raising fuel prices in Syria imposed themselves on the third session of the special session of the People’s Assembly, and more than fifty members asked the Council’s presidency to listen to the Minister of Energy to clarify the rationale for the decision to raise fuel prices. The Council announced, on Monday, that it had agreed to hold a hearing for the Minister of Energy next Thursday.
Under pressure from the sharp criticism directed at the government, the Energy Committee in the People’s Assembly held a meeting on Sunday, and concluded by requesting a hearing from the Minister of Energy to discuss the new petroleum derivatives price bulletin and the circumstances and repercussions that accompanied it. This is based on Article (30) of the Constitutional Declaration, and in accordance with the provisions of Article (168) of the People’s Assembly’s internal regulations.
The Ministry of Energy had confirmed that the rise in the prices of petroleum derivatives in Syria was “temporary”, to ensure the continuity of supplies and the availability of the material in the local market, explaining that the rise was due to the rise in the cost of shipping and insurance globally due to regional events, coinciding with the overhaul of the Baniyas and Homs refineries.
On Sunday, the work of the Syrian People’s Assembly began with discussing the resignation request of the appointed representative from Latakia, Mudar Hamdan. Deputy Chairman of the Diplomatic Affairs Committee, Nawar Najma, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Council agreed to the resignation, with reservations about the sentences and vocabulary included in the resignation request, and the Council’s budget was also discussed.
The representative of Latakia, Mudar Hamdan, submitted his resignation request last August, after a widespread wave of dissatisfaction sparked by his appointment as part of the President of the Republic’s quota. This is because he was accused of glorifying the previous regime and opposing the Syrian revolution.
The Council was expected to discuss three draft laws related to the Terrorism Court and the rulings issued by it, which were referred by the Presidency of the Republic, according to the agenda of the third session, but the three draft laws were referred to the competent committee for scrutiny. According to Nawar Najma.
The draft laws include abolishing a law during the era of the previous regime, which was the establishment of a court specialized in terrorism cases No. 22 of 2012, and proposing that the Supreme Judicial Council undertake the cancellation of the effects of the rulings issued by the Court of Terrorism Cases, including the return of property confiscated pursuant to it, while preserving the cases existing before it or referring them to the competent judicial authority, as the case may be.
Among the projects awaiting discussion is a draft law to exempt people who recovered their money that had previously been confiscated pursuant to judicial rulings issued by terrorism courts and military courts, from 2011 until the overthrow of the previous regime in 2024, from taxes, fees, and costs resulting from the process of transferring ownership back to them.
This is in addition to the draft amendment to Article 1 of Law No. 20 of 2012, relating to the dismissal and deprivation of every worker of his retirement rights if he is proven guilty by a judicial ruling of any terrorist act. It is proposed to maintain the penalty of dismissal in the event of a final judicial ruling of conviction, while deleting the text related to depriving the convict of his retirement rights, in addition to canceling Articles Two and Three of the law.
In addition to the main session, the People's Assembly Office held the first meeting with the heads of the standing committees in the Council, in the presence of the heads of the twenty-six committees; To discuss the mechanisms of parliamentary work and organize the tasks of the committees during the next stage. A schedule and work mechanism were agreed upon, and the process of receiving draft laws and proposals, studying them, discussing them, and referring them to the Council was organized in accordance with the approved procedures.
Those in charge of managing a number of health sector facilities in Gaza were shocked when they were officially informed by the World Health Organization to stop supplying hospitals and health centers with fuel, due to a lack of funding. This was added to the crises that recently occurred due to the shortage of oils and filters used for vehicles and electricity generators.
Munir Al-Bersh, Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, said during a brief press statement that they had received an official notification from the World Health Organization to stop supplying more than 20 hospitals and health centers with fuel, starting on the nineteenth of this month, noting that the message indicated a “shortage in funding” that the UN organization is suffering from.
Muhammad Abu Afash, Director of Medical Relief in the Gaza Strip, confirmed that they had received the same message from the World Health Organization, noting that the decision includes 13 hospitals and 7 health centers. Pointing out that this will double the severity of health conditions with the beginning of the winter season, which portends environmental and health disasters and the spread of diseases in light of the worsening crises of waste and water pollution, and the damage to shelter centers and tents.
In a briefing to local journalists in Gaza during a meeting to inform them of the situation, Abu Afash pointed out that continuing to restrict supplies, whether of fuel or the entry of oils, spare parts and electrical generators for a longer period, threatens a complete cessation of health services and paralysis of the medical system in the Strip.
He indicated that health institutions and hospitals, including the seven medical relief centers and mobile clinics spread throughout Gaza, its north and south, rely entirely on generators to manage their electrical needs.
Abu Aish confirmed that the prices of these supplies in the markets, if they exist, have become astronomical and impossible to purchase. This led to the breakdown of many generators and a reduction in health services for citizens.
In the same context, the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip warned of a humanitarian catastrophe threatening the health system in the wake of the new decision of the World Health Organization, noting that the decision targets 13 private health institutions that are a partner and a basic pillar of the health system in light of the continuing state of emergency.
The Director General of Administrative Affairs at the Ministry explained. Mahmoud Hammad, in a press statement, said that this decision has a serious and direct impact on the provision of health care services, especially the vital and life-saving services provided by these institutions, foremost of which are surgical and maternity services and care for the wounded and injured who are constantly referred and transferred to them; This heralds the occurrence of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
Hammad stressed that protecting and sustaining the work of these institutions is a right guaranteed by international laws and norms, calling on international organizations and concerned parties to intervene immediately and undo this measure to prevent the deterioration of the situation and protect the lives of the sick and injured from the danger of certain death.
Stopping transportation
This comes after the Syndicate of Public Bus Company Owners in the Gaza Strip announced the suspension of the service of transporting doctors, nurses and medical personnel, next Wednesday, to all their workplaces in hospitals and medical centers, including governmental and international ones, in protest against the continued failure to respond to the union’s appeals to provide bus spare parts, including tires, oils and basic maintenance materials, and after exhausting all available capabilities to ensure the continuation of service.
The union confirmed that this measure is urgent and beyond its control, as a result of the lack of operating and maintenance requirements necessary to ensure the safety of buses and the continuity of service.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said that this sudden stop constitutes a direct threat to health services within hospitals, given the inability of doctors, nurses, and technicians to reach their workplaces. This reflects on the quality and care of patients, and doubles the pressure on the currently existing staff. Which threatens vital departments to stop their life-saving services.
She pointed out that the scarcity of public transportation and the high costs of individual operation make it impossible to sustain the arrival of employees through personal efforts, calling on all international institutions, concerned parties, and humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately to provide the oils, spare parts, and fuel necessary to restart the medical transport fleet without any delay. She said: Disregarding the simple operational requirements of the health system is a direct death sentence for the health care provided to citizens.
She believed that the continuing crisis of the shortage of electric generator oils in hospitals makes it more difficult for them to continue operating them to cover the daily need for electricity, indicating that the limited quantities of oil that were allowed to be brought in during the last period are emergency quantities that do not meet the required operating procedures and technical follow-ups, noting that many of the electric generators in hospitals are in urgent need of changing the oils, and delaying this exposes them to technical and mechanical complications that may lead to their stopping.
She indicated that the monthly need for electrical generator oils amounts to 2,500 liters, noting that the past few days witnessed the cessation of a number of electrical generators due to the lack of oils, spare parts, and sufficient quantities of fuel, and that the remaining electrical generators in hospitals work around the clock in difficult technical and mechanical conditions that are unable to cover the needs of vital and life-saving departments.
These burdens on the reality of the health sector come under complex field conditions with the continued Israeli aggression on the sector. It was announced that the body of a Palestinian was recovered after he was hit by Israeli vehicles at the Yellow Line south of Khan Yunis, on Sunday evening.
On Monday afternoon, 10 Palestinians were injured as a result of an air strike from an Israeli drone that targeted a tent in a camp for the displaced near Al-Wafa Hospital in the center of Gaza City, while Ghazi was injured by the bombing of the roof of a house near the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in the same city. Shortly before that, two young men were directly targeted near the entrance to Al-Zawaida in the center of the Gaza Strip. As a result, they were seriously injured, after which they were transferred to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, while at least 8 others were injured in a raid that preceded that, targeting a tent in Mawasi Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip. Some of the injuries were described as critical and serious by official medical sources.
