Peregraf - Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein expressed the Iraqi government’s surprise at recent statements made by the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Syrian Affairs, Thomas Barrack, regarding Iraq’s internal situation. The remarks came during a meeting between the two officials on Sunday, 7 December 2025, held on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, in Qatar.
In a statement, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Hussein reviewed the stages Iraq has passed through in consolidating its democratic approach after 2003, noting the complex political and security challenges that accompanied those transformations. He reaffirmed that Iraq remains committed to its democratic choice, the building of state institutions, and the rejection of all forms of dictatorship that the country had endured for decades.
Hussein stressed that it was important for the U.S. envoy to present his views in a way that reflects the reality of Iraq’s political progress and the relative stability achieved in recent years. He emphasized that the choices of the Iraqi people are respected, and that democracy and the federal system, enshrined in the Constitution, have become a firmly established and irreversible path despite the challenges.
The meeting also touched on developments in Syria. Hussein highlighted the ongoing difficulties facing the country and the efforts being made within the political track. He underlined the need for all components of the Syrian people to be represented in the political process and for the launch of a comprehensive national dialogue. He affirmed Iraq’s readiness to provide support, offer advice, and share its own experience in addressing political and security crises.
The minister reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation and the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States, praising Washington’s role within the international coalition to combat ISIS.
For his part, Barrack expressed his appreciation for the historical and political insight Hussein presented regarding Iraq and its pre-2003 context. He stressed that the U.S. administration views Iraq’s experience with respect, adding that his recent comments were linked to the American perspective on developments in the country. The U.S. envoy also addressed the situation in Syria, calling for fair treatment of all Syrian components and supporting efforts aimed at finding solutions, while emphasizing that the final decision rests with the Syrian people.