Iraq
Iraq's leaders and head of top judicial body met at the presidential palace in Baghdad on August 24, 2022. Photo: Iraq's presidency
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Head of Iraq’s three presidencies and top judicial body on Wednesday discussed the country’s political unrest, calling on the political parties to be engaged in “serious” and “open” dialogue, according to a statement.
Uncertainty reigns in Iraq as the country is currently in the midst of a deepening political crisis, having failed to form a new government over 10 months following the early elections in October, on account of disagreements between the Sadrist Movement and the pro-Iran Shiite parliamentary faction Coordination Framework over the mechanism in which to form the next cabinet.
Iraqi President Barham Salih hosted Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and Head of the Supreme Judicial Council Chief Justice Faiq Zidan at his palace in Baghdad.
“Latest political developments in addition to the grave ramifications of current situations were discussed during the meeting,” read a statement from Salih’s office.
“Participants in the meeting emphasized that the continuation of a political crisis in the midst of faltering political negotiations that could impact negatively the efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability as well as persevering peace and security of citizens requires all the concerned parties to bring national positions and work together to calm the tensions and hold further dialogue which is only the way to settle differences and bridge the gap,” it added.
Supporters of top Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Tuesday set up tents before the Supreme Judicial Council, reiterating their calls for dissolving the Iraqi parliament, ending corruption, and demanding the non-politicization of the judiciary.
The Sadrist Movement later on Tuesday “recommended” the protesters to withdraw from outside the judicial building, but to keep their tents in place and to continue protesting in front of the parliament building.
Nabila Massrali, European Union Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement on Wednesday that the “obstruction of the work of crucial state institutions in Iraq, caused by continued protests in Baghdad, is a matter of concern.”
“While the right to peaceful protests is essential to democracy, all laws and state institutions must operate to serve the Iraqi people. The European Union underscores that judicial institutions must be able to perform their functions without external pressure,” she added.
Uncertainty reigns in Iraq as the country is currently in the midst of a deepening political crisis, having failed to form a new government over 10 months following the early elections in October, on account of disagreements between the Sadrist Movement and the pro-Iran Shiite parliamentary faction Coordination Framework over the mechanism in which to form the next cabinet.
Iraqi President Barham Salih hosted Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and Head of the Supreme Judicial Council Chief Justice Faiq Zidan at his palace in Baghdad.
“Latest political developments in addition to the grave ramifications of current situations were discussed during the meeting,” read a statement from Salih’s office.
“Participants in the meeting emphasized that the continuation of a political crisis in the midst of faltering political negotiations that could impact negatively the efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability as well as persevering peace and security of citizens requires all the concerned parties to bring national positions and work together to calm the tensions and hold further dialogue which is only the way to settle differences and bridge the gap,” it added.
Supporters of top Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Tuesday set up tents before the Supreme Judicial Council, reiterating their calls for dissolving the Iraqi parliament, ending corruption, and demanding the non-politicization of the judiciary.
The Sadrist Movement later on Tuesday “recommended” the protesters to withdraw from outside the judicial building, but to keep their tents in place and to continue protesting in front of the parliament building.
Nabila Massrali, European Union Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in a statement on Wednesday that the “obstruction of the work of crucial state institutions in Iraq, caused by continued protests in Baghdad, is a matter of concern.”
“While the right to peaceful protests is essential to democracy, all laws and state institutions must operate to serve the Iraqi people. The European Union underscores that judicial institutions must be able to perform their functions without external pressure,” she added.
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