BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has highlighted the necessity for full readiness among security and intelligence branches while addressing economic cooperation with Egypt, amidst ongoing political challenges including the vacant position of Parliament Speaker. Al-Sudani’s comments come as Iraq navigates a critical period of legislative and security reforms.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Prime Minister al-Sudani, who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chaired a meeting of the National Intelligence Council to discuss various security and intelligence issues. The meeting involved a review of the performance and readiness of security agencies, emphasizing the need for high-level coordination to address potential threats to Iraq’s security and territorial integrity. Al-Sudani directed the agencies to ensure comprehensive readiness and professional coordination in efforts to pursue terrorist remnants and organized crime gangs.

In a separate development, al-
Sudani met with Ahmed Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Egyptian Al-Suwaidi Group of Companies, and other executives to discuss expanding economic cooperation between Iraq and Egypt. The discussions centered on investment opportunities in Iraq exceeding $100 billion, covering sectors such as industry, education, energy, and infrastructure. The meeting concluded with plans to study the establishment of industrial cities in Baghdad.

Meanwhile, the political landscape remains tense as the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives remains unfilled. Al-Zawraa newspaper reports that the Shiite Coordination Framework is committed to resolving the issue, which is crucial for advancing federal laws, including those concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Personal Status Law. Despite the urgency, independent MP Raed Al-Maliki noted the absence of a political agreement to elect a new Speaker, which has weakened the parliament’s oversight role.

Additionally, the Sunni dispute over the candidate for the S
peaker position continues, complicating the political scene, as reported by independent MP Alaa Al-Haidari. The resolution of the Speaker’s election hinges on the Sunni forces reaching a consensus on a single candidate.

In the Kurdistan Region, the Independent High Electoral Commission reported a successful parliamentary election with a 72% voter turnout, as covered by Al-Zaman newspaper. Initial indicators suggest the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) secured 43 seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 22 seats. The election process was marked by effective voting machine performance and a 100% conformity rate between manual and electronic vote counts.