International Community Supports for Baghdad Against IS

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At an international conference in Paris, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, representatives of European and Arab states, and representatives of the EU, Arab League and United Nations, have all pledged to help the government in Baghdad fight against Islamic State militants.
The full statement from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is shown below:


Communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development



Paris, September 15, 2014
1. At the invitation of the President of the French Republic and the President of the Republic of Iraq, an international conference on peace and security in Iraq was held today in Paris.

2. The conference participants (Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Arab League, European Union, United Nations) expressed their commitment to the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq. They welcomed the formation of a new government under the authority of the Prime Minister, Mr Haïdar al-Abadi, and offered him their full support to strengthen the rule of law, implement a policy of inclusiveness, and ensure that all components are fairly represented within the federal institutions and all citizens are treated equally. All of these measures are necessary in order to successfully combat Daech (ISIL) and terrorist groups, which represent a threat to all Iraqis.

3. The conference participants asserted that Daech (ISIL) is a threat not only to Iraq but also to the entire international community. They condemned the crimes and acts of mass violence that Daech (ISIL) commits against civilians, including the most vulnerable minorities, which may amount to crimes against humanity. They agreed to cooperate and do everything to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. They confirmed support for the inquiry led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to that end.

4. All participants underscored the urgent need to remove Daech (ISIL) from the regions in which it has established itself in Iraq. To that end, they committed to supporting the new Iraqi Government in its fight against Daech (ISIL), by any means necessary, including appropriate military assistance, in line with the needs expressed by the Iraqi authorities, in accordance with international law and without jeopardizing civilian security.

5. The conference participants also reaffirmed their commitment to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council on the fight against terrorism and its sources of recruitment and financing, in particular Resolution 2170. They will make sure that this resolution is correctly implemented and will take the necessary measures to ensure it has all the intended effects. They firmly believe that resolute action is necessary to eradicate Daech (ISIL), particularly measures to prevent radicalization, coordination between all security services and stricter border control. They welcomed the prospect of working on an action plan to combat terrorist financing.

6. Reiterating their support for the Iraqi Government, the international partners recalled the need to support the Iraqi people’s desire for human rights to be observed in a federal framework that respects the constitution, regional rights and national unity.

7. They recognized the role played by the United Nations in Iraq, particularly in coordinating and facilitating international assistance to the Iraqi Government. The conference participants also recognized that the Arab League and the European Union are essential long-term strategic partners for Iraq.

8. The conference participants agreed to continue and increase, depending on changes in the situation on the ground, the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi Government and local authorities, in order to help them accommodate and assist refugees and displaced persons, who should be able to return to their homes safely.

9. The international partners declared that they were willing to assist Iraq in its reconstruction work, with the aim of achieving fair regional development, in particular by providing expertise, know-how and appropriate financial support. Through, for example, specific global fund to help reconstruction of areas devastated by Daech (ISIL).

10. The international partners agreed to remain fully mobilized in their support for the Iraqi authorities and in the fight against Daech (ISIL). They will ensure that the commitments made today are implemented and followed up on, notably in the framework of the United Nations and during the high-level meetings that will be held alongside the United Nations General Assembly.

Statements by M. François Hollande, President of the Republic, at his joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart
Baghdad, September 12, 2014


Mr President,

We’ve spoken on the telephone so many times since you were elected. But I was keen to be here in Baghdad today, because there’s a new government in Iraq, which has been formed democratically and has managed to bring together all sectors of the Iraqi people. And you’ve played a major role in this.
That’s why it’s an honour for me to be the first head of state to be welcomed here to Baghdad since the formation of this new government and to express to you France’s support and friendship.

This solidarity takes several forms. First of all, political solidarity. France stands alongside Iraq because Iraq is a country which has conducted its democratic transition and been able to organize elections and form a government – a government including all the political families. Moreover, at the lunch you’ve planned to organize, I’ll be with all the party leaders representing the Iraqi people.

France’s solidarity is also humanitarian and security-related. You’re facing an enemy, a terrorist group which has no borders but now has territorial interests and wants to wage war not only on Iraq but on all those peoples who don’t share that terror-based vision of the world.

By supporting Iraq, France is also enabling the international community to take control of its own destiny and its own security. That’s why you and I have decided to organize a Conference on [Peace and] Security in Iraq and the fight against that terrorist group, Daesh. The conference will be held in Paris on Monday and will mobilize a large number of countries.

The purpose of this conference is to coordinate assistance, support and actions in favour of the unity of Iraq and against that terrorist group.

France’s solidarity has also meant supplying, as soon as was possible, humanitarian assistance – this has been repeated several times and is ongoing today – and also military assistance.

Together we’ll continue, in the discussions I’ll be having with you, with the Iraqi government, to organize this solidarity, which is a reflection not only of our friendship but also of our shared interest in the fight against terrorism.

But today a new era is beginning, and I want relations between France and Iraq to take on a new dimension. That’s also the reason why I’m here, at your invitation./.

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