Iraqi Prime Minister Sets 5 Urgent Priorities for the Government

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (Reuters)
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Iraqi Prime Minister Sets 5 Urgent Priorities for the Government

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani (Reuters)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani has asserted that despite several challenges, there are many opportunities for the government to succeed.

Speaking at a meeting with the press attended by Asharq Al-Awsat, Sudani noted that "the regional and international community is supportive.”

This has been expressed in a series of supportive positions, which will serve the common interests of Iraq, the region, and global community.

The chances of success are higher now because of the financial support that helps realize achievements according to well-thought-out plans and political and security stability, said Sudani.

He referred to the recent assassination of a US citizen and asserted that he is following up on the probe. He noted that investigators have new leads that could help identify the perpetrators.

Sudani noted that the government's credibility lies in bringing them to justice.

"Our foreign policy will be based on the principle of common interests," said the PM, adding that it is crucial to unifying internal political discourse to have a unified state.

He stressed that recovering the stolen funds will determine the nature of foreign relations with other countries.

Sudani mentioned the five priorities for the government, such as addressing poverty, revealing that he will make urgent decisions to support the poor. Another focus includes finalizing the decisions issued since 2019 to help provide job opportunities.

The PM vowed that services are the third priority of the government, some of which involve completing unfinished projects, which need about $30 billion. He also noted that funds are allocated to the governorates within the Food Security Law.

Sudani named economic reforms and the fight against corruption as the fourth and fifth priorities.

Regarding economic reforms, Sudani said that one of the requirements is the establishment of the Iraq Fund for Development and encouraging the private sector to implement projects, including the construction of 8,000 schools.

He also stressed that fighting corruption requires a strong will, honesty, and continuity.

A large coalition of about 280 lawmakers supports the government, said the PM, adding that the cabinet has an excellent chance to succeed.



Israeli Strike on a Gaza Apartment Building Kills at Least 7 People, Including 4 Children

A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israeli Strike on a Gaza Apartment Building Kills at Least 7 People, Including 4 Children

A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A Palestinian carries a wounded child at the site of an Israeli strike on an apartment, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)

An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Gaza killed at least seven Palestinians, including four children, and injured 16 other people on Friday afternoon, health officials said.

The strike hit an apartment in the Jaffa residential tower in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp. The dead and wounded were taken to Aqsa and Awda hospitals.

The Israeli military did not immediately offer comment on the strike. Israel says it only strikes fighters and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because its fighters operate in residential areas.

Israel faces heavy international criticism over the unprecedented levels of civilian casualties in Gaza and questions about whether it has done enough to prevent them.