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Widespread Anger in Iraq after Decision to Raise Fuel Prices

Traffic congestion in the center of the Iraqi capital (AFP)
Traffic congestion in the center of the Iraqi capital (AFP)
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Widespread Anger in Iraq after Decision to Raise Fuel Prices

Traffic congestion in the center of the Iraqi capital (AFP)
Traffic congestion in the center of the Iraqi capital (AFP)

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.
The government increased the cost of premium gasoline (95 octane) from 650 Iraqi dinars ($0.50) to 850 Iraqi dinars ($0.65) per liter. The price of super gasoline (98 octane) will rise from 1,000 to 1,250 dinars, while the regular gasoline (low octane) will remain at 450 dinars. The cabinet said that the new rates would take effect on May 1.
Popular anger often causes a decline in the prime minister's electoral chances. This means that Sudani might go back on his decision to increase the price of fuel, or face its possible repercussions, according to observers.
In contrast to the explanations provided by the government for increasing fuel prices to contribute to eliminating severe traffic congestion in Baghdad, experts said that the decision came in the wake of the losses incurred by the state as a result of subsidizing fuel prices, in addition to pressures exerted by international financial institutions.
In a post on Facebook, Researcher Salim Souza said that the “increase in gasoline prices in Iraq (and perhaps soon an increase in the prices of water, electricity, sewage, and other services bills, as I have heard) has local, internal and external reasons related to international monetary requirements, the size of debt, and global aid to Iraq.”
Al-Sudani had announced earlier this year that Iraq would stop fuel imports in mid-2025 after completing the construction of refineries in Baiji and Karbala and their production reaching its maximum capacity.
In January 2024, Iraq advanced globally to become the 13th country with the most affordable gasoline prices, according to data from the Global Petroleum Press website.

 

 

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Arab World

IMF Says Its Staff in Lebanon to Discuss Banking Restructuring Strategy

A man sits at the entrance of a money transfer company office in Beirut on November 10, 2026. (AFP)
A man sits at the entrance of a money transfer company office in Beirut on November 10, 2026. (AFP)
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IMF Says Its Staff in Lebanon to Discuss Banking Restructuring Strategy

A man sits at the entrance of a money transfer company office in Beirut on November 10, 2026. (AFP)
A man sits at the entrance of a money transfer company office in Beirut on November 10, 2026. (AFP)

The ‌International Monetary Fund has begun a staff mission to discuss the country's strategy for restructuring the banking sector, IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said on Thursday, declining to say whether a preliminary agreement was imminent.

Kozack told reporters that the IMF's staff ‌mission in ‌Beirut was under way ‌as ⁠part of a ⁠close discussion with Lebanese authorities to underpin a comprehensive reform program to restore financial stability and support an economic recovery.

She said IMF staff would ⁠communicate at the end ‌of the mission ‌with any relevant updates.

Lebanese media ‌quoted Lebanese Finance Minister Yassine Jaber ‌telling reporters this week that the IMF mission would continue through Friday, adding his hope that ‌a preliminary agreement could be reached this week.

IMF Managing Director ⁠Kristalina ⁠Georgieva last month said there were "intense" discussions under way on support for Lebanon reflecting significant progress towards a loan program.

"We have made significant progress towards the program. We have still a bit more work to do together, and I'm confident we will be successful," she said at the time.

Arab World

Libya's Dbeibah, Erdogan Discuss Bilateral Agreements, Cooperation

Libya's Dbeibah meets Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya summit on Thursday (Dbeibah's Office)
Libya's Dbeibah meets Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya summit on Thursday (Dbeibah's Office)
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Libya's Dbeibah, Erdogan Discuss Bilateral Agreements, Cooperation

Libya's Dbeibah meets Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya summit on Thursday (Dbeibah's Office)
Libya's Dbeibah meets Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Antalya summit on Thursday (Dbeibah's Office)

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and the latest political and security developments in Libya on Thursday on the sidelines of the COP31 World Leaders Climate Summit in the Turkish city of Antalya.

Dbeibah's media office said the meeting covered bilateral relations and prospects for expanding cooperation in various fields, particularly the economy, investment, security and defense, as well as progress in implementing agreements and memorandums of understanding signed by the two countries.

The talks also addressed efforts to support stability and unify Libya's institutions, alongside continued coordination on regional and international issues.

Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's continued support for Libya's stability, stressing that "any initiative not embraced by Libyans will have no impact on the ground."

On the sidelines of the climate summit, Dbeibah also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss developments in Libya's political process and efforts by the UN mission to support stability.

Dbeibah reaffirmed his government's readiness to continue coordinating with the mission to help it fulfill its mandate, praising UN envoy Hanna Tetteh's efforts to facilitate dialogue and bridge differences among Libyan factions.

He also welcomed the "4+4 agreement" and called for building on its outcomes to end the transitional periods and pave the way for elections.

Representatives of Dbeibah's government and the eastern-based General Command signed the 4+4 agreement on Aug. 30 to break the political deadlock and create conditions for presidential and parliamentary elections within 24 months, through unified institutions and a single executive authority.

Dbeibah's meetings in Antalya on Thursday also included talks with Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, focusing on developments in Sudan, ways to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, facilitate the movement of citizens and coordinate on security and border issues.

Dbeibah reiterated Libya's support for Sudan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any attempts to divide the country or undermine its national institutions.

He stressed the need to intensify regional and international efforts to secure a ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those affected by the conflict.

Dbeibah attended the summit's opening on Wednesday. The event, hosted by Antalya on Nov. 11-12 under Erdogan's chairmanship, brought together Guterres and around 102 leaders and senior representatives from 95 countries and seven international organizations.

Discussions focused on climate finance, the energy transition and strengthening international cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals.

The meetings come amid renewed momentum in Libyan-Turkish relations after Libya's House of Representatives ratified a maritime memorandum of understanding signed in 2019 between Ankara and Libya's former Government of National Accord.

Contacts and consultations between Libya's rival factions and Turkish officials have intensified recently.

On Wednesday, Turkish Ambassador Guven Begenc met General Salahuddin al-Namroush, chief of the general staff under Dbeibah's interim Government of National Unity, to discuss developing military relations in ways that serve the two countries' mutual interests.

Meanwhile, General Khaled Haftar, chief of the general staff under the eastern-based General Command, arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday for an official visit lasting several days.

Arab World

Tunisia Says It Is Prepared For 'Various Threats, Scenarios'

Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Sehili speaks with Justice Minister Leila Jaffel during a parliamentary session (EPA)
Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Sehili speaks with Justice Minister Leila Jaffel during a parliamentary session (EPA)
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Tunisia Says It Is Prepared For 'Various Threats, Scenarios'

Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Sehili speaks with Justice Minister Leila Jaffel during a parliamentary session (EPA)
Tunisian Defense Minister Khaled Sehili speaks with Justice Minister Leila Jaffel during a parliamentary session (EPA)

Tunisia is preparing for a number of scenarios as conflicts widen and regional and global tensions mount, Defense Minister Khaled Sehili said, outlining plans to bolster military readiness and secure essential supplies, according to local media reports.

Speaking during a joint parliamentary plenary session on Thursday, Sehili said the country's proactive strategy includes stockpiling fuel, medicines and food, diversifying supply sources and tightening surveillance along its land, air and maritime borders.

The military is also reinforcing border security by extending an earthen barrier along the entire eastern frontier and building a parallel 95-km (59-mile) trench to curb infiltration and smuggling, he said.

Sehili announced plans for legislation regulating drone use to address emerging challenges and govern the technology.

Preparing for potential threats and scenarios "requires developing defense capabilities and strengthening readiness" to protect Tunisia and its national interests amid rapidly changing security conditions, he said.

He described the Defense Ministry's budget as "an investment in Tunisia's security and stability" and a safeguard for independent national decision-making as regional and international developments bring mounting military and security risks.

Sehili said Tunisia's security situation remained "relatively stable," but warned that continued vigilance and preparedness were essential.

The military is responding to evolving threats through targeted preemptive operations aimed at putting pressure on suspicious elements and restricting their ability to act and move, he said.

Those efforts include securing borders, combating terrorism and dismantling logistical support networks used by terrorist groups.

"Tunisia's security cannot be separated from that of its regional surroundings," Sehili affirmed, underscoring the need to prepare for different scenarios.

He warned of escalating armed conflicts, growing security threats, intensifying strategic competition over transit routes and a widening arms race.

The developments are closely linked to Tunisia's immediate neighborhood, particularly North Africa, the Sahel and the Sahara, where mounting security challenges risk creating fertile ground for terrorist and criminal groups, he said.

Sehili called for more effective military operations, better use of available resources and greater self-reliance, alongside continued international military cooperation to build a strong national army capable of carrying out its duties effectively.