Iraqi PM Accuses Parties of Obstructing Government Efforts

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (AFP)
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Iraqi PM Accuses Parties of Obstructing Government Efforts

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi (AFP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi accused political parties of obstructing government efforts in restoring state prestige and combating corruption.

Kahdimi indicated that some parties are trying to disrupt the anti-corruption committee which is accused of abuse against officials arrested on corruption charges.

During a televised interview with a number of Arab channels, Kadhimi said that restoring the state means some parties will be affected and harmed, and they will try to resist until the last moment.

The PM asserted that the government took a number of measures to restore confidence in the security services, noting that all parties must work within the framework of the state.

Asked about the military parade of “Rubu Allah” faction in Baghdad last Thursday, Kadhimi asserted that it won't be repeated.

Some parties want the government to fail and are trying to impede its work, according to Kadhimi, noting that the cabinet took bold decisions and presented a number of reforms including the white paper on economic and administrative reform.

Kadhimi earlier adopted the “New Mashreq” concept, which was rejected by a number of parties, especially those affiliated with Iran.

He explained that the New Mashreq can be established with Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt at its core, in conjunction with the preparations for a tripartite summit, which was postponed.

“When economic interests are the main element in the strategy of cooperation, problems are reduced.”

Iraq does not need foreign forces on its territories, asserted Kadhimi, adding that the country needs international support, and the help of the coalition air forces to direct airstrikes against ISIS hideouts.

Kadhimi stressed that the relationship between Washington and Baghdad must be transformed into a US-Iraqi interest in the fields of economy, security, culture, and health.

Kadhimi’s advisor Hussein Allawi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the government has worked with the US on the strategic dialogue.

This includes redeploying 2500 out of the 5000 advisors who previously worked with the international coalition against ISIS.

Iraq is looking towards expanding its relations with the US to include various fields such as economy, development, and investment.

Allawi asserted that the “New Mashreq” is an important economic, political, and security project that aims to strengthen various fields and provide public services, which will enhance Iraq’s foreign policy.

Iraq will have a competitive advantage, especially for its oil and gas resources, in addition to improving its capacity in joint projects with other countries, namely Jordan and Egypt, according to the advisor.

On Saturday, Kadhimi announced the postponement of the “New Mashreq” tripartite summit with Egypt and Jordan, in wake of Friday’s deadly train collision in Egypt.

The PM also discussed in a phone call with Jordan’s King Abdullah II bilateral ties, regional issues, and means to boost cooperation.

For his part, King Abdullah stressed the need to build on the trilateral cooperation mechanism between Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, in service of their peoples' interests, adding that he looks forward to the next trilateral summit, according to a Royal Court statement.



Two Million Syrians Returned Home Since Assad's Fall, Says UN

Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria, after Syrian rebels announced that they ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Turkish town of Reyhanli in Hatay province, Türkiye, - Reuters
Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria, after Syrian rebels announced that they ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Turkish town of Reyhanli in Hatay province, Türkiye, - Reuters
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Two Million Syrians Returned Home Since Assad's Fall, Says UN

Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria, after Syrian rebels announced that they ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Turkish town of Reyhanli in Hatay province, Türkiye, - Reuters
Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria, after Syrian rebels announced that they ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Turkish town of Reyhanli in Hatay province, Türkiye, - Reuters

Over two million Syrians who had fled their homes during their country's war have returned since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said Thursday, ahead of a visit to Syria.

The Syrian civil war, which erupted in 2011 with Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests, displaced half of the population internally or abroad.

But Assad's December 8 ouster at the hands of Islamist forces sparked hopes of return.

"Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December," Grandi wrote on X during a visit to neighboring Lebanon, which hosts about 1.5 million Syrian refugees, according to official estimates, AFP reported.

It is "a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions," he said.

"This proves that we need political solutions -- not another wave of instability and displacement."

After 14 years of war, many returnees face the reality of finding their homes and property badly damaged or destroyed.

But with the recent lifting of Western sanctions on Syria, new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion.

Earlier this month, UNHCR estimated that up to 1.5 million Syrians from abroad and two million internally displaced persons may return by the end of 2025.