Iraqi Court Suspends Zebari's Presidential Bid

Former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari. Reuters
Former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari. Reuters
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Iraqi Court Suspends Zebari's Presidential Bid

Former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari. Reuters
Former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari. Reuters

Iraq's federal court on Sunday suspended former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari's presidential bid while it looks into corruption allegations dating back to 2016, the state news agency reported, one day before parliament was due to elect a new president.

Zebari, a prominent Kurdish politician who served as Iraq's foreign minister for more than a decade, was finance minister when he was sacked by parliament in 2016 over alleged corruption. He denied the accusations.

Last week four parliamentarians filed a petition to the federal court demanding Zebari's exclusion from the presidential race, accusing him of financial and administrative corruption in 2016.

In its ruling, the court said it had "decided to temporarily suspend the procedures of electing (Zebari) for the position of President of the Republic until the case is resolved."

Zebari was not immediately available for comment, Reuters reported. He has previously said the allegations against him are politically motivated.

Two lawmakers said on condition of anonymity that Zebari's suspension could delay tomorrow's vote, which comes four months after a parliamentary election led to Moqtada al-Sadr's movement becoming the biggest bloc, with 73 seats in the fractious 329-seat house.

The country's new president will be tasked with asking the largest bloc in parliament to form a government.

Zebari, one of 25 candidates, had high chances of winning the election before the corruption allegations surfaced again.



Yemen Cabinet Holds Urgent Meeting to Discuss Economic Rescue Plan

Yemeni Cabinet meeting in Aden, Yemen (Saba News Agency)
Yemeni Cabinet meeting in Aden, Yemen (Saba News Agency)
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Yemen Cabinet Holds Urgent Meeting to Discuss Economic Rescue Plan

Yemeni Cabinet meeting in Aden, Yemen (Saba News Agency)
Yemeni Cabinet meeting in Aden, Yemen (Saba News Agency)

The Yemeni government met in the interim capital, Aden, on Thursday, with Prime Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak presiding to review an economic rescue plan focused on government reforms, ending the Houthi coup, and restoring state control.
Yemen’s economy faces a deep crisis, with falling revenues and a halt in oil exports after Houthi attacks on export ports and stalled peace efforts amid increased Houthi activity regionally and at sea.
In Thursday’s meeting, Yemen’s Cabinet discussed urgent economic issues, including currency instability and electricity shortages, and reviewed a draft economic rescue plan aligned with government reforms.
The government aims to finalize the plan, which focuses on restoring state control, ending the Houthi coup, achieving peace, fighting corruption, and improving transparency. The plan also seeks to boost the economy and make better use of foreign aid.
A ministerial committee, led by the finance minister and including other key officials, was formed to refine the plan. The committee will review suggestions and present a revised version in two weeks for further discussion.
State media reported that the Cabinet instructed the ministerial committee to align the rescue plan with the government's reform agenda and economic recovery strategy. The committee will set priorities, review progress, and develop a unified economic document to guide urgent government actions.
Yemen’s Cabinet emphasized the need to realistically assess challenges and tackle them through joint efforts with the Presidential Leadership Council.
The discussion focused on ensuring the rescue plan addresses the economic crisis’s root causes—worsened by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping routes—and on defining the support needed from international donors.
The meeting also reviewed implemented and ongoing policies, noting obstacles and suggesting solutions to overcome them.
Moreover, Yemen’s Cabinet reviewed reports on fuel shortages affecting Aden’s power stations and discussed urgent steps to stabilize electricity and ensure water supplies.
State media said officials stressed the need for emergency fuel and additional supplies to keep services stable.