Sudani Calls on Europe to Support Iraq’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

Sudani during his meeting with the President of the European Commission on Saturday. (The Iraqi premiership on Twitter)
Sudani during his meeting with the President of the European Commission on Saturday. (The Iraqi premiership on Twitter)
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Sudani Calls on Europe to Support Iraq’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

Sudani during his meeting with the President of the European Commission on Saturday. (The Iraqi premiership on Twitter)
Sudani during his meeting with the President of the European Commission on Saturday. (The Iraqi premiership on Twitter)

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani has called on the European Union to support the government's anti-corruption efforts.

He also urged the global police agency Interpol to facilitate the extradition of wanted persons.

Al-Sudani met on Saturday with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Munich and they discussed Iraq’s wish to hold partnerships with the EU countries in various fields.

Sudani pointed out that his meetings with the leaders of Germany, France, and Italy align with the endeavors for economic partnerships and bonds of cooperation to face economic challenges and the effects of climate change and to enhance stability and sustainable development, the Media Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement.

He also highlighted the agreement between the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and the European Investment Bank and the openness to the investments of European companies and their contribution to the public service sector in Iraq.

"Looking forward to advancing our EU-Iraq partnership. We will engage further in deepening our cooperation, including in support of your ambitious domestic reform agenda and on clean energy," von der Leyen said in a tweet.

Sudani also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They discussed the bilateral ties and ways to reinforce them.

The Iraqi PM reiterated that his government prioritizes economic reforms and focuses on advancing the energy sector and forming joint ventures for investment and growth in the gas industry.

Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq’s readiness to step up cooperation with the US in the fight against terrorism in the context of offering instruction, counsel, and information sharing to the Iraqi security forces while upholding Iraq’s independence and sovereignty.

Blinken applauded the Iraqi government’s ambitions for reform and growth as well as its efforts to prioritize the energy sector in its development initiatives.

He reiterated support for the Iraqi government’s progressive improvement and reform objectives across a range of levels and areas, as well as the US government’s gratitude for Iraq’s regional contribution to greater stability.

Moreover, Al-Sudani discussed with the Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol, Jurgen Stock, bolstering bilateral cooperation in the restoration of stolen public money.

Sudani stressed that the government's procedures require cooperation from the organization, especially in the issue of dealing with requests submitted regarding financial crimes.

The PM called on Interpol to provide support in the field of training and capacity building for the cadres working at the headquarters and the newly established Interpol offices at the border crossings, as well as cooperation in the field of information exchange, and in the field of supporting financial crime investigations related to money laundering and terrorist financing, and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

For his part, Stock expressed the organization’s willingness to cooperate with Iraq and work on restoring the looted funds and the persons wanted in corruption cases.

Furthermore, US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski said during the second Oil and Gas Show conference in Baghdad that American firms are willing to invest in Iraq and expand cooperation in the energy sector.



Hezbollah Orders Members to Stay Away from South Lebanon Amid Renewed Israeli Strikes

Hezbollah supporters take part in Ashura commemorations in Beirut’s southern suburbs last week (AP)
Hezbollah supporters take part in Ashura commemorations in Beirut’s southern suburbs last week (AP)
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Hezbollah Orders Members to Stay Away from South Lebanon Amid Renewed Israeli Strikes

Hezbollah supporters take part in Ashura commemorations in Beirut’s southern suburbs last week (AP)
Hezbollah supporters take part in Ashura commemorations in Beirut’s southern suburbs last week (AP)

In the wake of renewed Israeli strikes in south Lebanon, Hezbollah has reportedly instructed its members and affiliates to avoid traveling to their hometowns in the south, including areas north and south of the Litani River.

The internal directive, aimed at minimizing Israeli targeting, prohibits movement to the region even for family visits or personal reasons, according to local sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The move comes as Israel resumed its targeted operations against Hezbollah after a week-long pause. The renewed strikes coincide with growing Lebanese calls to reactivate the ceasefire monitoring committee, following escalating tensions and violations.

On Thursday, two individuals were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in south Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement brokered last November. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed the fatalities.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, an Israeli drone strike hit a vehicle on the Toul-Kfour highway in the Nabatieh district, killing one person and injuring two others. A second airstrike targeted a truck in the southern coastal town of Naqoura, leaving one person dead.

Israeli authorities have reiterated that they will continue to act against Hezbollah to “eliminate any threat” and prevent the group from reestablishing its military infrastructure. They have warned that strikes will continue unless Hezbollah is disarmed by the Lebanese state.

The latest attacks follow a series of five assassinations carried out last week, which Israel claimed targeted operatives involved in restoring Hezbollah’s combat and artillery capabilities in the south.

Since the November ceasefire, Israel has reportedly carried out nearly 3,600 violations, by land, sea, and air, resulting in 253 deaths and 559 injuries, according to official Lebanese data.

Ongoing Israeli operations have severely limited Hezbollah’s activity in both southern Lebanon and north of the Litani River. Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah issued a directive months ago prohibiting members, including fighters, from visiting southern areas, even for personal or family reasons, to avoid Israeli surveillance and targeting.