Ankara: The Imam and Friday Prayer Leader of Najaf, Sadr al-Din al-Qabanji, declared that the Accountability and Justice Commission has disqualified 253 candidates from the elections due to their prior association with the Ba’ath Party.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Qabanji, during his political sermon, acknowledged the commission’s efforts, stating, “Thanks to the Accountability and Justice Commission for this great achievement. They have no right to return to power after their hands are stained with the blood of the Iraqi people. There is no return for the Ba’ath Party. Thanks also go to the Independent High Electoral Commission for disqualifying a number of candidates due to legal and technical issues.”

In another matter, al-Qabanji criticized the US State Department for its interference in the Iraqi-Iranian security agreement, labeling the agreement as beneficial. He remarked, “It is a good agreement between the two countries, but the US State Department has rudely interfered in this matter, rejecting this agreement. We consider it interference in Iraq’s internal affairs.”

Addressing comments made by Netanyahu regarding Greater Israel, al-Qabanji said, “These are Israeli ambitions, a show of force, made while they are on their last legs. We reject these statements, which violate humanitarian and international values.”