Iraqi premier says to float anti-corruption plan in two weeks
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi pledged on Wednesday to present a plan for combating widely-spread corruption within two weeks.
“The plan aims at fighting all forms of corruption in the country,” Almaalomah website quoted Abdul-Mahdi as speaking at a press conference following a cabinet meeting.
“We will not allow any unqualified person to assume any ministerial portfolio in the new government,” Abdul Mahdi stressed as he commented on a tweet by Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr about corruption in the appointment of ministers in the new cabinet.
The premier also hailed as “successful” a tour recently paid by President Barham Saleh to several regional countries.
“The recent regional tour paid by President Barham Saleh was successful and tackled several security and economic files of great concern to Iraq,” he said.
On Monday, Saleh wrapped up a regional tour, which took him to several countries, including Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Iran, the heartland of Shia Islam, had long been considered as a key player in Iraq’s politics. Baghdad’s relations with Sunni-ruled Riyadh, meanwhile, had been tensional but witnessed improvement towards the end of the war against IS.
Saleh, during his Iran visit, showed, along with his Iranian counterparts, eagerness to preserve “historical” ties between both nations.
Iraqi officials, following victory over IS, reiterated anxiousness to build balanced relations with world countries in a way that preserves Iraq’s sovereignty.