There is a ‘political aspect’ behind Basra protests: Abadi

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Haider al-Abadi, the prime minister of Iraq, said on Tuesday he is closely watching the situation in Basra, blaming protests there on more than just joblessness and a lack of electricity.

Abadi stressed that they are overseeing the situation and will address the issues, describing the situation in Basra as “special … because the temperature in Basra is higher than other places.” He added they have provided Basra with electricity more than its share … but there are attempts to give it a political aspect.”

Baghdad sent a delegation to the province to investigate the deadly protests and meet the demands of people, added the Iraqi premier. 

Regarding reductions of electricity by Iran, he said that it has affected Iraq.

“I personally observe the condition, production and distribution of electricity in Iraq but as you know the temperature degree has increased in Iraq and in southern Iran which borders with Iraq,” said Abadi.

Iran used to provide 1,200 megawatts to provinces bordering Iraq; however, according to Abadi, “due to the load on electrical grid inside Iran, Iran only provides 5-10 percent of the amount. This has affected us.”

Iraq will attend the anti-ISIS ministerial meeting in Brussels on Thursday to ensure peaceful times remain.

“In order for the continuation of supporting Iraq, there is a meeting to support Iraq through arming, training security forces because we also need security during peace to improve the economy … without peace and security it is difficult to have investment or improvement of economy.”

Asked about fighting corruption after the country's declaration of defeating ISIS, Abadi said that they have to fight corruption through intelligence, the same way they fought ISIS.

PM Abadi added that during the Council of Ministers’ meeting they issued some decision, including specifying fees for Iraqi visa applications at embassies and consulates abroad.

Out of five decisions made by Council of Ministers, three of them were about Basra province.

Nearly two months after the parliamentary election, Iraq has yet to release final results in order to form a new government.