Baghdad: Ammar al-Hakim, head of the State Forces Alliance, affirmed on Saturday that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi enjoys considerable freedom in making decisions and implementing reform measures. Al-Hakim highlighted the significance of unions in the country’s development and their role in informing the public about the realities and challenges Iraq faces, especially amid a state of war impacting the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Hakim addressed the economic challenges Iraq is currently facing, describing the situation as exceptional and requiring a lowering of expectations due to a decline in oil production and exports. He characterized the crisis as global, urging for measures to resolve the economic pressures. Al-Hakim praised efforts to secure salaries for employees and retirees, and emphasized the importance of prioritizing farmers and contractors to ensure food security, job creation, and service project revitalization.

Al-Hakim called for strategic measures, such as increasing oil production to align with Iraq’s needs and population size, attracting foreign investment, and diversifying export routes through a pipeline network to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. He advocated for revitalizing productive sectors like agriculture, industry, tourism, investment, and technology to shift away from a rentier state model and invest oil revenues in reconstruction and infrastructure.

With the international coalition’s mission nearing its end, al-Hakim noted Iraq’s success in overcoming security challenges, crediting the strength of its security institutions and the role of factions in combating terrorism. He condemned attacks on neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia from Iraqi territory, based on reliable information.

Al-Hakim reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to regional stability and adherence to its constitutional obligations. He stressed the need to align the demands of the Iraqi market with the outputs of its universities and emphasized the importance of diverse professions. He rejected the fragmentation of unions, advocating for their participation in decision-making and legislation.

In terms of reform, al-Hakim noted the Prime Minister’s considerable freedom in decision-making, as he is not seeking re-election or a second term. He called for support for teachers and provision of serviced land plots to alleviate the housing crisis, emphasizing the diversification of economic models to permanently resolve the crisis.