Qatar reaffirmed on Monday that it continues to play a mediating role between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement that leads to a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners. In parallel, a senior Qatari official pointed to a lack of political will to reach a deal in light of the continuing military operations.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shiaa Al-Sudani said that the justification for the presence of the international coalition against ISIS, which consists of 86 countries, has ended, after Iraq was able to defeat the terrorist organization. Sudani was speaking during a meeting with media correspondents on Tuesday night in Washington, where he met with US President Joe Biden and a number of officials.
Signs of a massive wave of anger are looming in Iraq as a result of the decision to increase the prices of car fuel, which was approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday. Although Iraqis felt relative satisfaction by the government of Mohammad Shiaa al-Sudani during the past year, especially after it employed more than 800,000 persons in the public sector, the spike in car fuel prices triggered dismay among them.
Reliable sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat the contents of a letter delivered by the US authorities to the Iraqi government, regarding arrangements for the withdrawal of international coalition forces. The message included the withdrawal method and timetable, as well as obligations of the Iraqi side, stressing that if the withdrawal occurs, it will come at a price, and will not halt the deterrent attacks on pro-Iranian armed groups.