Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is preparing for a trip to the United State at President Donald Trump’s invitation. It will be his first since taking office as his government presses ahead with efforts to bring armed factions under state control.
The parliament approved al-Zaidi’s government on May 14, leaving nine cabinet positions vacant because of political disagreements and reported US objections to the appointment of some representatives of armed groups that hold parliamentary seats.
Officials pledged to fill the vacant seats after the Eid al-Adha holiday, which ended almost two weeks ago, but the impasse remains.
Despite the absence of defense and interior ministers, al-Zaidi’s administration has moved forward with a sensitive disarmament campaign targeting several armed factions.
The Saraya al-Salam, affiliated with influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, voluntarily handed over their weapons to the government last week. Political observers viewed the move as both a challenge to other armed factions that have yet to disarm and a significant show of support for al-Zaidi’s government.
Al-Zaidi has made state monopoly over weapons the centerpiece of his program. Backed by unusually strong public support from Trump shortly after winning parliamentary confidence, he has stressed that ending the influence of the factions is essential to reshaping Iraq’s economy and attracting foreign investment.
Speaking about his trip, al-Zaidi said he intends to visit Washington soon.
The US president previously congratulated him by phone after he was formally tasked with forming a government and extended an invitation to the White House. At the time, the two leaders discussed strategic relations between Iraq and the United States, opportunities to expand cooperation, and joint efforts to promote regional stability.
Although no date has been announced for the visit, Washington appears keen to support the Iraqi government’s efforts, particularly its campaign to ensure that weapons remain exclusively in state hands. The process has proceeded relatively smoothly despite objections from Iran-aligned factions, such as Kataib Hezbollah and the al-Nujaba movement.
In a further sign of US engagement, Trump recently reappointed Tom Barrack, his envoy to Syria, to serve as his representative in Iraq as well.
For al-Zaidi, however, security reforms are only the first step. Iraq’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil revenues and has faced mounting pressure, particularly following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
During a meeting Saturday with business leaders, members of the Private Sector Development Council and Iraq’s Economic Council and executives from private banks, the PM emphasized that the private sector would play a central role in the government’s reform agenda.
He pledged an “open-door policy” toward business proposals and promised to combat corruption and extortion.
“We have an upcoming official visit to the United States,” al-Zaidi said. “We will take a number of business leaders with us to expand opportunities for mutual investment and partnership.”
He also announced plans for a development fund supported by a $10 billion contribution from the Central Bank of Iraq, with shares to be offered to Iraqi citizens at the official exchange rate.
