BAGHDAD-INA
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi said in an Interview with Al Arabiya followed by the Iraqi News Agency INA that “We have not been selective in dealing with corruption cases. Corruption is a criminal matter that has nothing to do with sectarian, ethnic, or any other affiliations.”
Al-Zaidi affirmed “We will continue pursuing those accused of corruption. It is only natural that our actions in this regard have provoked reactions from those affected and those concerned, who have expressed dissatisfaction with these legal measures.”
He also said “There are no red lines in our efforts to protect public funds, and there will be no exceptions for those involved in corruption.”
The prime minister said “Those involved in corruption have only one option: to return the stolen funds, as they belong to the Iraqi people,” adding that “Cooperation between the government and the judiciary is at the highest level, and our shared objective is to recover the Iraqi people’s assets and safeguard their rights.”
He confirmed “We have entered into dialogue with the factions, and they will subsequently transition to political and social activities and once the designated timeframe has concluded, arms will be held exclusively by the state’s official institutions, namely the Armed Forces and security agencies.”
Al-Zaidi said “The delay in U.S. dollar shipments was linked to disruptions caused by the regional situation and air traffic. With conditions stabilizing, cash shipments have resumed according to the previously established schedule, and we will announce a framework for political cooperation and economic partnership between Iraq and the United States.”
The prime minister asserted “We are always working to foster closer understanding between the United States and Iran, and we seek an economic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It represents a strategic Arab depth for Iraq, just as Iraq represents strategic depth for the Kingdom.”
He said “Iraq is a founding member of OPEC and will remain so. However, we seek a fair and equitable production quota and we are confident that we will resolve the outstanding issues with the Kurdistan Regional Government, because we do not believe in postponing problems; we believe in resolving them.”
