Iraqi President to U.N.: 'Terrorism Threatens Everyone'

Jalal al-Talabani, president of the Republic of Iraq, told the international gathering of the United Nations’ 63rd Session of the General Assembly on Thursday that terrorism is a blind danger that threatens everyone.

“At a time when the Iraqi people call upon the representatives of the elected national government to combat its remnants, they call upon the international community, and in particular neighboring countries to support Iraq in its effort to combat violence and terrorism, all while promoting peace, security, and stability,” al-Talabani said.

“This positively impacts the stability and security of the region, the interests of it peoples, and the international community as a whole,” he said, noting that acts of terrorism committed by "the enemies of freedom will not discourage our people from establishing a new democratic experience, which our people paid a heavy price for.”

Al-Talibani said Iraq requires the support and assistance from countries around the world to be able to fulfill Iraq's goal of building a modem nation that can ensure justice, equality, the strengthening of the rule of law, respect for human rights, and women's participation in all spheres of life.

“The Iraqi government has relentless determination towards imposing the rule of law throughout Iraq, disarming militias, fighting sectarian conflict, and building state institutions on the basis of nationalism,” he said.

He furthered that the problems facing the Middle East can be solved through constructive and meaningful dialogue and in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy and principles of the United Nations and international law.

“The Iraqi government supports the Palestinian people's struggle for the resolution of their inalienable rights, including the establishment of an independent state,” he said, adding, “We also call for the need to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy to store the occupied Arab territories.

Al-Talabani told the assembly that in order to promote peace and security in the region and in the world, “we call for making the Middle East a region free of weapons of mass destruction.”