Shafaq News-Baghdad
Iraqi PrimeMinister Ali Al-Zaidi is preparing a broad reshuffle that could affect morethan 100 senior officials across state institutions, with changes expected toinclude deputy ministers, agency heads, directors-general, and senior securityofficials.
Sourcesfamiliar with the matter told Shafaq News that a team appointed by Al-Zaidi isconducting a “comprehensive review” of government institutions, assessing theperformance of senior officials and evaluating several administrative files. The review also examines the political and organizational affiliations of someofficials, amid discussions about removing figures found to have neglectedtheir duties or maintained links to armed factions.
Al-Zaidi hasalready introduced changes in key security and economic institutions, includingthe Iraqi National Security Service and the Central Bank (CBI). The plannedreshuffle comes as the prime minister works to complete his cabinet formationand ahead of his expected visit to Washington, where he is due to meet USPresident Donald Trump.
Politicalsources told Shafaq News that US envoy Tom Barrack discussed a range of issueswith Al-Zaidi during his recent visit to Baghdad, including the management ofsovereign institutions and efforts to strengthen the independence of governmentdecision-making.
According tothe sources, the discussions coincided with the decision to abolish the postsof deputy prime ministers and shelve plans for a proposed Federal SecurityMinistry that would have brought together several security formations,including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a predominantly Shiiteumbrella formation integrated into Iraq’s state security structure in 2016, andarmed groups.
Negotiationswithin the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework over the security ministriesand other disputed portfolios remain ongoing, with Al-Zaidi seeking to appoint“technocratic figures,” according to the sources.
The Frameworkmeeting has been postponed until after the tenth day of Muharram*, as politicalparties await further clarity on the cabinet lineup and the scope of theexpected changes.
*The firstmonth of the Islamic lunar year. For many Muslims, particularly Shiitecommunities in Iraq, it commemorates the martyrdom of the third Imam Husseinibn Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, at the Battle of Karbala.
: Iraq PM al-Zaidi to Washington with energy deals front, “militia file” unresolved
