policy
Ammar al-Hakim, head of the National State Powers Alliance, today met with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to discuss the latest political developments in Iraq and the region, alongside the challenges confronting the nation. During their meeting, al-Hakim underscored the critical importance of preserving Iraq's sovereignty and the necessity of handing over the arms of factions to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), affirming its status as an official security institution reporting directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Al-Hakim commended efforts to deliver services and manage state affairs despite the difficult economic and financial situation. He called for addressing current challenges through enhanced national unity and internal cohesion. He also stressed the importance of completing the government cabinet, urging the appointment of competent ministers capable of managing Iraq's administrative and financial demands. Al-Hakim appealed to political blocs to finalize their choices for governmental entitlements. Reiterating his support for confining arms to the state, al-Hakim advocated for dialogue and understanding as the optimal path. While acknowledging the factions' role in countering terrorism and restoring state control, he reaffirmed the need to safeguard national sovereignty and transfer weapons to the PMF, recognizing its official security mandate under the Commander-in-Chief. Finally, al-Hakim praised the government's move towards program-based budgeting in the upcoming phase, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing issues. He urged leveraging this period to diversify the Iraqi economy, move away from a rentier state model, and expand Iraqi oil export routes via a pipeline network extending to the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
