Baghdad: With the composure of a statesman and a confident tone, Ali al-Zaidi outlined his government’s approach to managing its responsibilities during the Baghdad Dialogue Conference, focusing on three key priorities: placing all weapons under state control, resolving the fight against corruption, and diversifying the economy’s sources of revenue.
According to Iraqi News Agency, al-Zaidi provided a comprehensive and precise assessment of the government’s first 100 days in office, reflected in his responses to questions from the moderator and demonstrating the depth of his vision. His remarks offered a clearly defined roadmap for the government’s next phase.
On the issue of placing all weapons under state control, al-Zaidi struck a calm and measured tone, sending a clear message at home and abroad that the government does not intend to address the issue through confrontation or rupture. Instead, he framed it as a gradual national process in which prudence would prevail over emotion, dialogue over confrontation, and the authority of the state over the logic of escalation.
The message was one of reassurance rather than confrontation. Al-Zaidi stressed that the state’s effort to reclaim its exclusive authority over security and military decisions was not aimed at forcibly reshaping the existing balance of power, but at bringing it within the framework of the law and state institutions.
On corruption, however, al-Zaidi adopted a markedly firmer tone. He pledged to press ahead with a broad campaign against bureaucratic practices and malpractice, with no retreat or hesitation. He described the fight against corruption as a ‘matter of honor,’ underscoring his position that the campaign would not be subject to compromise or concession.
The prime minister also placed strong emphasis on the social dimension, offering reassurance to public-sector employees, retirees, and beneficiaries of social protection programmes. He stressed that all salaries and financial entitlements were fully secured, while describing the new budget as a strategic blueprint for rebuilding the electricity sector and expanding the role of the private sector.
On the economic and geopolitical fronts, al-Zaidi demonstrated a close reading of regional developments, particularly the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The government has taken initial steps to diversify Iraq’s oil export routes by expanding transportation capacity through the Turkish port of Ceyhan, while working to establish additional routes through Baniyas and Aqaba.
Al-Zaidi also reaffirmed Iraq’s right to increase its production quota within OPEC to between 8 million and 10 million barrels per day over the next six years, presenting the target as recognition of the sacrifices made by Iraqis and the country’s right to rebuild what was destroyed during its campaign to defeat terrorism on behalf of the wider world.
The government’s first 100 days demonstrate that Iraq is now being governed with a statesmanlike approach, led by a leadership committed to putting aside personal political gains and a second term in office in favor of building strong state institutions whose benefits will be realized by future generations and successive governments.