US State Department: Militias and corruption impede Iraq's progress towards the right path

[yota691]

US State Department: Militias and corruption impede Iraq's progress towards the right path

Thursday, July 15, 2021 05:00 PM

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken

 

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joey Hood said that armed militias and corruption are impeding Iraq's progress towards the right path.

Hood added, in a statement reported by the American Al-Hurra channel on Thursday, that "the goals of US policy toward Iraq have remained stable despite the challenges," and that one of those goals is to help the Iraqi security forces fight ISIS and maintain stability.

In a related context, the spokesman for the Iraqi "Victory Coalition", Aqil Al-Rudaini, called on all political forces to participate in the elections scheduled to be held on the tenth of next October.

Al-Rudaini said - in a statement - that the coalition, led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, "believes in the necessity of the participation of all political forces in the upcoming elections, adding that "victory" is with fair electoral competition between the political parties."

Al-Rudaini pointed out that "victory" is not with boycotting free and fair elections, and believes that the legitimacy of the political system depends on electoral legitimacy, and that reforming the system is a necessity and we hope for concerted efforts to reform the system and its development to achieve the aspirations of the Iraqi people.

For its part, the Electoral Commission in Iraq confirmed that there was no official request to withdraw from the upcoming elections.

The Assistant Spokesperson for the Electoral Commission, Nibras Abu Souda, said: "So far, the commission has not received any requests to withdraw, and that the door for accepting the requests of those withdrawing was closed on June 20, which was the last date for receiving the withdrawal requests," explaining that the Commission has no intention to open door again.

And she continued: "If requests are received, this matter is up to the Board of Commissioners, and it will take the appropriate decision."

[shixjr]

12 minutes ago, yota691 said:

"victory" is with fair electoral competition between the political parties."

I am not sure that an American should be lecturing another country on "fair electoral competition"!

 

Thank you Yota!

[ronscarpa]

8 hours ago, yota691 said:

US State Department: Militias and corruption impede Iraq's progress towards the right path ... Thursday, July 15, 2021 05:00 PM

 

Thanks yota691 ... Ron

[ronscarpa]

8 hours ago, shixjr said:

I am not sure that an American should be lecturing another country on "fair electoral competition"!

 

Thank you Yota!

 

I totally agree with you shixjr - especially one from this administration.