Baghdad:Iraqi newspapers on Monday focused on a proposed meeting between Iran and the Gulf states in Baghdad, calls for constitutional amendments, and ongoing negotiations between Iraq and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding financial loans.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zawraa newspaper reported that Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced the conclusion of the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which adopted the Baghdad Declaration. Hussein expressed the Iraqi government’s intention to host a meeting in Baghdad that would bring together Iran and the Gulf states, signaling Baghdad’s capability to host international delegations.

Hussein emphasized the significance of the Palestinian cause and discussions on regional crises, challenges facing Muslim-majority countries, and counterterrorism efforts. He highlighted Iraq’s initiative for a ‘6+1’ meeting format and ongoing consultations with relevant countries to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

Al-Sabah newspaper focused on calls for amending the Iraqi Constitution. The newspaper’s editorial noted Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan’s call to review and amend certain constitutional provisions coincided with the 21st anniversary of the Constitution’s ratification. The editorial argued that refining the constitutional text would strengthen the document and eliminate ambiguities.

In economic news, Al-Zaman newspaper reported on Iraq’s negotiations with the IMF for financial loans. Economic expert Ziad al-Hashemi stated that Iraq had submitted a loan request to the IMF, making it the first in the MENA region to do so. He noted that returning to borrowing contradicts previous government justifications for currency devaluation and warned of potential conditions that might involve reducing subsidies in various sectors.