Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has mandated that undersecretaries from ministries without appointed ministers attend cabinet meetings until the ministerial positions are filled.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Zaidi's directive was announced during a recent cabinet session. He instructed the undersecretaries of the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Planning, Housing, Construction and Municipalities, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Culture, Labor and Social Affairs, Migration and Displacement, and Youth and Sports to oversee their respective ministries. However, they are to avoid handling exclusive powers reserved for ministers operating in an acting capacity.

During the Thursday cabinet meeting, al-Zaidi stated that this decision is intended to maintain the seamless functioning of ministries and to accelerate the execution of their responsibilities, thereby preventing any hindrance to state and citizen interests. He urged the undersecretaries to put forth maximum effort to speed up progress and enhance performance.

In response to issues raised by several undersecretaries, the Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Municipalities with conducting a comprehensive study on the fourth ring road project in Baghdad. Additionally, he instructed that displaced Yazidis from the Sinjar District in Nineveh Governorate be considered for inclusion in the million-plot residential land project.