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Iraqi Factions Fail to Elect Diyala Governor

An employee at the Iraqi Electoral Commission carries a ballot box at a local election vote counting center last December (AFP)
An employee at the Iraqi Electoral Commission carries a ballot box at a local election vote counting center last December (AFP)
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Iraqi Factions Fail to Elect Diyala Governor

An employee at the Iraqi Electoral Commission carries a ballot box at a local election vote counting center last December (AFP)
An employee at the Iraqi Electoral Commission carries a ballot box at a local election vote counting center last December (AFP)

Military operations are intensifying in Iraq’s eastern governorate of Diyala to eliminate remaining terrorist elements hiding in the mountains and remote areas.

However, political disputes among different factions are delaying the appointment of a governor, even 40 days after the local election results were approved last December.

Diyala, bordering Iran, has a diverse population, but political factions have yet to agree on a governor.

Observers say Diyala’s situation is even more complicated than Kirkuk’s, where political disagreements have also stalled the appointment of a governor.

While Kirkuk’s governor selection involves agreement among Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen, in Diyala, seven political groups are competing for the position. Within these groups, there are internal struggles among Sunni and Shiite factions.

While some doubt the possibility of a quick agreement among political factions to form a local authority, a source from the State of Law coalition suggests they might settle on Wadhah al-Tamimi as their candidate for governor.

The source explained that al-Tamimi is seen as a compromise due to the failure of political factions to agree on a candidate for over four weeks.

It’s noted that other factions urged the State of Law coalition to present their candidate, as they themselves failed to do so.

Raad al-Mas, a member of the coalition, mentioned they've had four important meetings with political blocs in the Diyala Council in the past 48 hours to present their candidate's agenda.

He added in a statement to the press that the program will focus on social justice, reconstruction projects, aid for the poor, economic growth, fighting corruption, revitalizing job sectors, resolving compensation issues for liberated areas, and resettling displaced families.

However, Osman Mahmood, a council member from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, said in press remarks on Friday that political disagreements over the position persist.

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Aoun Wants Formation of ‘Consensual’ Lebanese Govt Representing All Components

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
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Aoun Wants Formation of ‘Consensual’ Lebanese Govt Representing All Components

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is advocating the formation of a government of “consensus” that includes representatives from all political factions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has requested that parliamentary blocs submit non-partisan nominees for ministerial positions, emphasizing that they must not belong to any political party.

Aoun stressed on Tuesday that all components of society have the right to be represented in the government, parliament and public administration, as this is already practiced in the army.

“We have significant opportunities that we hope to seize by uniting all elements of Lebanese society—civil, spiritual, and political. Together, we can rebuild our nation,” he declared.

Highlighting the importance of meeting international expectations, Aoun hoped for the rapid formation of a government to achieve political, economic, and security stability, which would allow citizens “to live with dignity, not merely in relative comfort.”

During meetings with professional delegations at the Presidential Palace, Aoun said: “We are at a crossroads. Either we take advantage of the current circumstances and rise above sectarian, religious, and political divisions, or we head in a different direction and bear full responsibility for failing to fulfill our duties.”

Negotiations between Aoun, Salam, and political factions over the formation of a government are ongoing. The discussions, which kicked off last week, have reportedly made progress, with efforts directed toward expediting the government formation process, issuing decrees, preparing a ministerial statement, and securing its vote of confidence from lawmakers.

While the Shiite duo of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement appear to have finalized their proposed nominees for the government, disagreements over the ministerial statement remain.

MP Waddah Sadek, who is backed by the opposition, firmly rejected the inclusion of the “Army, People, Resistance” term in the statement. He declared: “No ‘blocking third’ in the government, and no unconstitutional gimmicks. The slogan of the new phase in Lebanon should be: the ‘Army, People, and State.’”

The Kataeb Party echoed this stance, stressing that Lebanon, emerging from a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, must align with the Aoun’s inaugural speech and Salam’s remarks by ensuring the ministerial statement exclusively underscores the state’s monopoly over arms and the defense of the nation.

“The government must act decisively, dismantle militias, strictly enforce the ceasefire, and uphold its provisions across all Lebanese territory,” it demanded.

The Kataeb Party also urged Aoun and Salam to resist the “great extortion” by Hezbollah and Amal to secure specific ministries or positions, in violation of the inaugural speech, calling instead for the application of uniform standards to ensure the government’s success.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah adopted a more confrontational tone.

MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, commented: “To those betting on Hezbollah’s weakness or the weakness of the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, what will you say when the government is formed? What will you say when you realize the strength of Hezbollah, the alliance, and the resistance’s supporters across all segments of Lebanese society? What will you say when you see the unwavering determination and unity of the resistance at every critical juncture?”