August 8, 2022 – Rudaw – for article – click here
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in a meeting with Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi on August 7, 2022. Photo: Halbousi’s office
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi discussed “the latest developments in the political and parliamentary situation, and ways to enhance understandings at the level of national political forces within the framework of the initiative presented by Kadhimi to get out of the current crisis,” Halbousi’s office said.
The two also highlighted “joint visions” to strengthen the constitution and ensure a sustainable security climate.
Kadhimi last week invited all parties to engage in national dialogue to alleviate the political tensions in Iraq, warning that “dire consequences” could result otherwise as the country’s parliament was the scene of a sit-in by supporters of top Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
On Wednesday, Sadr called for the dissolution of the Iraqi parliament and a snap parliamentary vote, saying he had received “positive responses” from various components of the society for the initiative and urging that there are “no alternatives” to its dissolution as Iraq remains shrouded with political instability.
Calls for snap elections by Sadr have also been welcomed by the Coordination Framework, which said it supports any “constitutional path” to resolve the current political impasse in Iraq.
Kadhimi also met with Shiite cleric Ammar al-Hakim, head of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement on Sunday, and the two stressed that political reform in the country must be in accordance with the constitution.
Iraq is currently experiencing a record period without a government as the country closes in on ten months without a permanent cabinet.