The Iraqi ambassador delivered his remarks during a press conference held on Sunday by the Iraqi embassy in Cairo to review Iraq's preparations to host the two summits.
Several representatives of the Egyptian and Arab media and journalists attended the press conference.
"The Zionist entity has been committing genocide against the Palestinians since 7 October 2023, disregarding all values, charters, laws, and norms," Khalaf, who is also the League of Arab States' permanent representative, added.
He said the suffering of our peoples in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Syria, and Yemen is a testament to the actions of this occupying and usurping entity.
Khalaf also noted that the Spanish prime minister had been invited to participate, given Spain's positive stance recognizing the state of Palestine over the past two years.
The secretary-general of the United Nations, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, the chairperson of the European Union Commission, the secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and several Arab leaders and presidents will also participate.
Khalaf stated that despite the resolutions issued by the Security Council since 1948, which explicitly recognize the Arab lands in Palestine as occupied territories, the occupying Zionist entity considers any movement, resistance, or demand an act of terrorism.
However, it considers genocide, systematic killing, starvation, destruction of infrastructure, and bombing of hospitals acts of self-defence.
Unfortunately, Israel commits these crimes with the unlimited support it receives from other countries.
"Baghdad's hosting of the Arab Summit and the Arab Economic Development Summit aims to achieve greater Arab cooperation and solidarity, make decisions, and adopt initiatives that will advance our efforts as Arab countries," Khalaf said.
"We have countless commonalities, and our historical, geographical, economic, and cultural reach makes this nation strong and powerful," the ambassador added.
Moreover, he emphasized the Iraqi political leadership's keenness for President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to attend the two summits.
He clarified that meetings for senior officials will begin on 12 May, followed by ministerial meetings for both summits.
Foreign ministers will prepare for the regular summit, while ministers of economy and trade will prepare the resolutions for the two summits. Leaders, kings, and presidents will then approve them.
Invitations have been extended to presidents and kings to attend both summits.
When asked about the genocidal war on Gaza and what the summit will offer to the reconstruction of the destroyed Palestinian territory, Khalaf explained that the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States is preparing the agenda.
Like other countries, Iraq will present draft resolutions that support Arab action and solidarity and address the current challenges, especially regarding the Israeli entity's violations.
"Leaders in general, including Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and the Iraqi president, have initiatives and decisions that will be presented during the meetings preceding the summit for consideration by senior officials, for approval by the delegates first, then the ministers, and finally for adoption by the leaders, presidents, and kings. This issue is not unique to Iraq, but is open to all countries," he noted.
The same applies to the development summit and reconstruction funds.
Iraq's position on the Palestinian issue, the central Arab issue, and the Muslim issue has been firm and historic since 1948.
We have a cemetery for Iraqi martyrs in Palestine, and we have participated in every war that has taken place, Khalaf said.
"It has been a long and bitter conflict between the Arabs and Israel, and it has been unfair to our Arab people in Palestine and to our holy sites in Jerusalem. We in Iraq stand with all our strength in supporting this cause and all projects presented to redress this cause," he affirmed.
Iranian-American conflict
The Iraqi ambassador asserted that this conflict affects the entire region. Its impact will be catastrophic if it escalates into a confrontation, especially concerning energy supplies, as a large amount comes from the Arabian Gulf region.
"Since the beginning of the Gaza war, we in Iraq have held the view that this war will generate other wars and may expand. You have seen what happened in Lebanon, Syria, and the region," he said.
The ambassador added that the repercussions of this tension will be discussed, and the necessary measures will be taken to confront it if this conflict erupts.
"During our meeting with President El-Sisi, he explained that the outbreak of this conflict is not in the interest of the region, and that Arab leaders are aware of this matter and its details," he stated.
The ambassador said he expects the Baghdad summit to be exceptional, produce decisions, and form committees to follow up on what has been agreed upon.
Arab support for Gaza
Kalaf affirmed Iraq's keenness to ensure the establishment of a genuine Arab fund to support Gaza.
"The Palestinian issue is the main issue, and the summit should come up with the necessary decisions to support Palestine," he stated.
Arab reconciliation
The ambassador clarified that these initiatives are usually launched on the summit's sidelines.
"Many presidents and kings are greatly interested in reforming themselves and reforming those in conflict, as we are facing common issues that we must confront, communicate, and dialogue about," he concluded.
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