Iraq rejects Saudi crown prince's initiative

The Iraqi ambassador at the UN Muhammad al-Douri on Tuesday refused the initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia's crown prince to establish peace in the Middle East, saying that Baghdad will not recognize Israel.

Al-Douri said that the Saudi crown prince has no right to talks in the name of the Palestinian people and to say that the Arab states will recognize Israel. Al-Douri added that this matter is for the Palestinians to decide on their future, and not for the Arab leaders.

He explained that Iraq recognizes a Palestinian state that includes Jews, Muslims and Christians from the region, not those who come from outside Palestine.