Political crisis hampers normal life in Iraq: Prime minister

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said Tuesday that the government formation crisis is hampering normal life in the country.

This came in a speech marking the 41st anniversary of the founding of the Badr Organization, a faction of the pro-government Hashd al-Shaabi militia.

“We strive to find solutions, but unfortunately we sometimes opt to invent obstacles and political obstruction,” al-Kadhimi said.

He pointed out that “the people are worried about the future from the consequences of the political deadlock, which hinders life.”

“We must admit that there are constitutional differences and inconsistencies in the management of the state,” the Iraqi premier said.

The Iraqi Parliament has failed to elect a new president since the country’s parliamentary elections on Oct. 10.

The election of a new president is an essential step to move forward with forming a new government.

Meanwhile, Iraqi authorities raised the state of alert among security forces to thwart possible attacks by the ISIS, a police source told Anadolu Agency.

The state of alert C is the highest security level in the country; all members of security agencies must be present in their locations.

The ISIS has been active in the provinces of Salahuddin, Anbar, Kirkuk and Diyala.

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over the ISIS, saying it had reclaimed all territories the group had controlled since the summer of 2014 — estimated to be about a third of the country’s territory.

The group, however, still maintains sleeper cells in large areas in Iraq and launches attacks sporadically.