Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi chaired the thirteenth regular session of the Council of Ministers on Thursday, where the Cabinet issued several key decisions concerning administrative reforms and the electricity sector.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Council voted to cancel Diwani Order (54 of 2026) and dissolve the committee formed under it. The authority for pre-auditing government contracts was transferred to the Federal Board of Supreme Audit. This body will now conduct pre-audits through its oversight bodies in ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates under a unified framework. The Council also adopted the "Guide to Pre-Audit Government Contracts" to ensure early coordination between contracting entities and regulatory bodies.

The audit process for strategic and urgent contracts, as well as contracts exceeding one billion dinars, will be completed within 10 working days. The Federal Board of Supreme Audit will continue its post-audit authority, and relevant regulatory bodies will complete audits of contracts currently under review to prevent disruption of government contracts and projects.

The Council also approved the eighth annual report of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Council for 2025, emphasizing the need for continued measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in coordination with relevant regulatory bodies.

In the electricity sector, the Cabinet approved the recommendation to implement operation and maintenance contracts for the Rumaila and Shatt al-Arab power plants through public tender to ensure transparency and fair competition. Amendments were made to include fuel supply to northern region electricity contracts. Ministry of Electricity projects were exempted from certain auditing procedures, and the price of heavy fuel oil from the Karbala refinery will remain at 150 dinars per liter for two months.

To meet the demands of power plants for petroleum products, the Council exempted import and export contracts from auditing procedures. This exemption is effective until maritime conditions in the Gulf region improve, allowing for smooth loading of petroleum products at Iraqi ports and facilities.

The Council also approved draft laws that align with the government's vision and priorities for state institutions and the ministerial program.