Iraqi President and Speaker of Iraqi Parliament Meet to Discuss Upcoming Elections, Federal Budget and National Security

On Monday, February 1, 2021, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih, met with the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Mohammed al-Halbousi. The meeting took place at Al Salam Palace in Baghdad.

During the meeting recent political, economic and security-related developments in Iraq were discussed. The meeting participants agreed upon the need to continue to enhance and develop Iraqi security agencies, with a focus on maintaining pressure upon the last remaining elements of the extremist group known as the Islamic State. Extremist groups that try to undermine the country's security and stability, and who threaten the lives and property of Iraqi citizens, must be stopped, the politicians agreed. In order to do this, it was necessary to support and develop Iraq's own security agencies and forces. 

During the meeting, participants also spoke about the importance of the country's next federal election and preparations for this. They agreed upon the need for Iraqi elections to be free and fair, without any fraud or manipulation and held in line with the highest standards of transparency and integrity. 

The meeting participants also discussed the economic and health challenges that Iraq was facing and the measures that needed to be taken in order to overcome those challenges. They agreed that expediting approval of the federal budget was critical and that ordinary citizens' livelihoods should not become a political football with regard to this. The politicians also agreed that, during these difficult times, the rights of all citizens needed to be respected and the most vulnerable Iraqis needed to be protected.

 

Presedent