Iraq's first under-secretary of interior calls for stronger culture of peace at Anbar conference

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's First Under-Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Hussein al-Awadi, called for strengthening a culture of peace at a conference on social peace and combating negative phenomena held in Anbar province, the ministry said. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said establishing social peace and eliminating harmful phenomena is a shared responsibility among the ministry, citizens, civil society organizations, tribal leaders and clerics. The conference was organized by the Anbar Police Command in line with the directives of Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi. Al-Awadi called for reinforcing the values of peace, showing respect for differences and rejecting sectarian conflict. He also stressed the need to take a firm stand against random gunfire, usury and drug use, describing these practices as threats to public safety. The First Under-Secretary underlined the importance of inter-institutional cooperation to entrench the rule of law. No further details on the conference agenda or participants were immediately available.