Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the twelfth regular session of the Council of Ministers on Saturday evening, addressing key issues pertaining to the country’s governance, including a review of agenda items and the issuance of necessary directives and decisions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Council decided to suspend official working hours on August 3-4, 2026, in observance of the Arba’een commemoration of Imam Hussein, to facilitate the return of pilgrims. In foreign relations, the Cabinet voted to activate the Iraqi-Turkish framework agreement on water, with project financing to commence on September 1, 2026.

To diversify crude oil export routes, the Cabinet authorized the CEO of Basra Oil Company to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Syrian Ministry of Energy for a pipeline project linking Iraqi oil to global markets via the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, the Minister of Oil was authorized to engage with a consortium of companies for potential exploration and development in the Akkas field in western Iraq.

The Cabinet also tasked the Ministry of Oil with announcing the Qayyarah project for competitive bidding and approved recommendations for contracts related to the West Qurna-2 field. It exempted certain drilling tenders from existing regulations, facilitating oil infrastructure development.

In the electricity sector, the Council approved funding for a 3.6 km underground power line project and extended the contract for floating power stations to supply 350 megawatts of electricity until September 30, 2026.

In education, the Council addressed allowances for gifted students studying abroad and proposed amendments to the Scholarships, Fellowships, and Financial Aid System, coordinating with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to submit a proposal regarding tuition fees.