By John Lee. Associated Press reports that Iraq's parliament has delayed a vote on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's new technocrat cabinet. The reduction from 21 cabinet ministers to 16 was met with opposition from Iraq's powerful political blocs, which rely on patronage systems to remain in power, with several nominees withdrawing. He left ministers of […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Haider al-Abaid has called for an investigation into allegations of bribery in the Iraqi oil industry. Iraq's ambassador to the United States, Lukman Faily, has also said that al-Abadi will personally chair a new committee to review all major contracts issued by government ministries. The moves follow reports from the […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi nominated a new cabinet on Thursday, pledging to make political reforms to reduce corruption in response to sit-in protests in Baghdad led by Muqtada al-Sadr. Sixteen ministries will be changed, and the parliament will vote in ten days to either approve, reject or amend the proposed cabinet. No […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called for parliament to either support or reject his calls for a technocratic government, pushing back against a looming deadline for a new cabinet, according to a report from AFP. He said Parliament must decide if it wants him "to present ministers from the political blocs or […]
By John Lee. The Iraqi Parliament has set a deadline of Thursday this week for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to present a new cabinet. Nearly two months ago, Abadi said he would replace the current ministers with “technocrat” figures who are no affiliated with political parties. "If Abadi fails to present his new cabinet, he […]
By Omar Sattar, for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. With Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi thought to be working on reforms that include the formation of a technocratic Cabinet, the issue of proxy appointments is back in the spotlight. For more than a […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (pictured) has reportedly offered to pay the salaries of the KRG’s employees if it ceases its independent oil exports. Facing a financial crisis due to low oil prices, the KRG announced recently that its employees will be paid only partial salaries until further notice, and that unpaid wages […]
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi urges Kurdistan to drop any plans for independence, criticising a proposed statehood referendum.
By John Lee. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called for the inclusion of technocrats and academics in the government in a "fundamental" reshuffle to his cabinet, according to a report from AFP. In a speech on Tuesday, al-Abadi called on parliament "and all the political blocs to cooperate with us in this serious phase". Iraqi […]
Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi met the President of the World Bank, Mr. Jim Yong Kim, and his accompanying delegation on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. During the meeting, they discussed the World Bank's support for Iraq with expertise and simplification of procedures and help to reform the banking […]
By John Lee. President Haider Al-Abadi has congratulated Iran's government and people on the lifting of economic sanctions and the entry into force of the nuclear deal with the major powers. He added: "We look forward to this historic agreement contributing to the strengthening of security and stability and prosperity of the countries and peoples of […]
By Simon Kent. Iraqi PM Haider al Abadi (pictured) has thanked the role that the British Royal Air Force played in supporting Iraqi troops during the battle of Ramadi. Iraq's western city of almost half a million people fell to ISIS, also known as Daesh, in May this year. The defeat for Iraqi forces was a […]
