Iraq

11 May 2020; MEMO: Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in central and southern Iraq yesterday only a few days after the government of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi took office, Anadolu Agency reported.

The protesters, sceptical of the new government, gathered in Tahrir Square demanding an end to rampant corruption, improved living conditions and an overhaul of the country’s political elite.

11 May 2020; MEMO: Iraq’s newly inaugurated Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Saturday ordered the release of all anti-establishment protesters who have been detained since October 2019 and to compensate the relatives of the nearly 600 protesters who were killed in demonstrations.

11 May 2020; MEMO: The Iraqi residents of a number of Sunni-dominated governorates are afraid that the redeployment of Shia factions in their areas as part of the security forces’ campaign to combat Daesh will lead to sectarian unrest.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s judiciary ordered courts on Sunday to release anti-government protesters, carrying out one of the first decisions of the recently inaugurated prime minister just as dozens of demonstrators burned tires in renewed protests against the new leadership.

10 May 2020; MEMO: Newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said Saturday that a strategic agreement with the US on the basis of protecting the unity and sovereignty of Iraq will be reviewed, Anadolu Agency reports.

Following his first Cabinet meeting, al-Kadhimi told reporters the group established a crisis desk consisting foreign affairs experts.

BAGHDAD, May 10 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, ruled out Iraq as the ground for “settling accounts” by the U.S. and its rival, Iran.

Al-Kadhimi made the remarks, after separately receiving the U.S. and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq, during which he expressed his country’s keenness to cooperate with all countries.

8 May 2020; MEMO: The US and Iran have agreed to support the new Iraqi government headed by Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, which won the trust of parliament after months of political stalemate in the country.

BAGHDAD, May 7 (NNN-NINA) – Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister, after weeks of political negotiations.

In a session attended by 266 lawmakers late Wednesday, the lawmakers approved 15 ministers proposed by al-Kadhimi, including Othman al-Ghanmi, as interior minister and Gomaa Enad, as defence minister. The ministers of finance, housing, health, and education were also approved, among others.

BAGHDAD, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's prime minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Wednesday was sworn in as the country's new prime minister after weeks of political negotiations.

In a session attended by 266 lawmakers late Wednesday, the lawmakers approved 15 ministers proposed by al-Kadhimi, including Othman al-Ghanmi as interior minister and Gomaa Enad as defence minister. The ministers of finance, housing, health, and education were also approved, among others.

5 May 2020; MEMO: Iraq’s poverty rate is expected to rise to more than 20 per cent as a result of the halt in trading following the outbreak of the coronavirus, the country’s planning minister warned yesterday.

Nuri Al-Dulaimi told reporters in Baghdad that poverty in Iraq had amounted to 20 per cent, citing a survey carried out by his ministry in 2018.

“National poverty rate is expected to rise after a number of private sector workers had lost their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak,” he said.