NEW YORK: Day two (Wednesday) of the plenary sessions at the UN General Assembly is now under way. Follow Arab News’ live coverage below…
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14:40 – Iraq’s president Bahram Salih takes to the podium to address the General Assembly audience.
The Iraqi president says makes a thinly-veiled reference to Iran’s malign activity in the Middle East region, by condemning the recent targeting of Saudi security, adding that Gulf security is “vital” to Iraq. Salih said he wanted to make sure that Iraq would not be a starting point of aggression against neighboring countries and that the solution to tensions in the regions is based on non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. He also thanks the international community for its efforts in helping Iraq overcome terrorism.
#LIVE: Salih at #UNGA condemns targeting of Saudi security, says Gulf security is “vital” to #Iraq. Adds that Iraq will not be starting point of aggression against neighbors. Solution based on non-interference in internal affairs of other countrieshttps://t.co/ZvVJlvgkMw pic.twitter.com/qBHz93CqX2
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 25, 2019
#LIVE: #Iraq’s Barham Salih thanks the international coalition and friends for helping Iraqis overcome terrorism, but says the work is just beginning
Live coverage here: https://t.co/WyerV5fccn pic.twitter.com/02LzeJdfBT
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 25, 2019
14:30 – Romania’s president takes to the podium, as we await the address from Barham Salih, which gives us time to look at one of the biggest talking points from day one’s meetings – Iranian president Hassan Rouhani talking with leaders from the UK, France and Germany.
Boris Johnson raised “deep concern” about Iran’s destabilising activity in the region, including the attacks on the Aramco oil facilities, and insisted it must stop. Along with Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, he stressed support for the Iran nuclear deal and the need for dialogue, “including on a comprehensive successor deal.”
Macron said he believed that the conditions for the leaders of the United States and Iran to meet were now in place, but it was still up to them to decide whether to move forward.
Merkel said that Iran’s demands for US sanctions relief were “unrealistic.” She said: “I would naturally be happy if there were talks between the United States and Iran,” but dismissed Iran’s demands that us lift all its sanctions before any high-level talks can take place.
14:00 – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes an address on the sidelines at a United Against Nuclear Iran panel. He says the economic pressure US is putting on Iran has prompted them to resort to sabotage attempts in the region, including the attacks on Saudi Aramco, and their actions are increasing the risk of conflict in the region.
Pompeo adds that US action against Iran has drawn international attention to the country’s constant threat to peace, and that many countries are now ready to face its threats to regional navigation and international security.
Pompeo also announced sanctions on Chinese companies, saying: “Today we’re imposing sanctions on certain Chinese entities for knowingly transporting oil from Iran contrary to United States sanctions.”
#LIVE: @SecPompeo on #UNGA sidelines – “The economic pressure we have imposed has prompted #Iran to initiate sabotage attempts in the region”
Follow Arab News’ live coverage here: https://t.co/WyerV5fccn pic.twitter.com/W1Tp4YeWAF
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 25, 2019
#LIVE: @SecPompeo on #UNGA sidelines says #US action has drawn international attention to #Iran’s threat to peace, and many countries are ready to face its threats to regional navigation and international security
Live coverage here: https://t.co/WyerV5fccn pic.twitter.com/rkQXmfXGq9
— Arab News (@arabnews) September 25, 2019
13:45 — Good afternoon. Key speakers for today include Barham Salih, president of Iraq, Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani and Michel Aoun of Lebanon. Later on Wednesday, we’ll hear from the Libyan Council of National Accord president Faiez Mustafa Serraj and the prime minister of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
