Day: March 12, 2023

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani announced today the launch of an afforestation initiative to combat desertification and dust storms in the country, which suffers from the effects of climate change and water shortage.

Al-Sudani’s announcement came during the Iraq Climate Conference, taking place on Sunday and Monday in the city of Basra, in the far south of the country, in the presence of ambassadors and officials from the United Nations.

In a speech at the opening of the conference, Al-Sudani said that climatic changes represented by “high temperatures, scarcity of rain, and an increase in dust storms, along with a decrease in green spaces, threatened food, health, environmental and societal security.”

According to a statement issued by his office, he indicated that “more than seven million citizens have been affected by drought, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced because they lost their livelihoods that depend on agriculture and fishing.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Security Media Cell announced, today, Sunday, the outcome of the arrests of wanted persons in Diyala, within three days.

The Head of the Cell, Major General Saad Maan, said in a televised statement, “The Diyala governorate is on the verge of investment and economic activities, and the government will not stand idly by on those who try to tamper with the security of the governorate,” noting that “the ongoing operations in Diyala are a popular demand.”

He added that “the outcome of the operations in Diyala for three days was (on the 10th of the current March, 81 accused were arrested with different legal materials, and yesterday 85 accused were arrested with different legal materials and one in terrorism cases, while today more than 30 accused were arrested with different legal materials and 3 others in terrorism cases.

He explained that “Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani’s visit to Diyala is important, and he held meetings with security leaders and the province’s clans, and there was a very large welcome,” pointing out that “the continuous follow-up of the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations and the Minister of Interior first with the security forces.”

He added “the focus has been on issues of murder, clan conflicts, sectarian violence, smuggling, drugs, and others,” pointing out that “the numbers of security forces in Diyala are sufficient and they carry out their duties through inspections in the areas of the province.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

– Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al-Sudani visited today, Sunday, the site of the large port of Faw in Basra Governorate, to review the progress of work in the five projects that are being implemented.

Al-Sudani followed up, according to a statement by his office, the detailed work of the executing companies, and their commitment to the timetables set for completion. He also listened to an explanation of the vital sectors included in the project, and the percentage of completion for each of them.

Al-Sudani said in his statements, “The technicians reviewed the progress of work in the five projects of the port, and the project is proceeding according to plan. Four projects have been implemented in more than what was planned, and there is one project in which there is a kind of delay, and within a month work will resume and be completed according to plan, stressing that “the FAO project is strategic, and receives the government’s attention and is among the priorities of our program.”

He added that the necessary financial allocations have been set for the continuation of the implementation of the five projects implemented by Daewoo, within the 2023 budget. “We are in discussions with the Ministry of Transport to attract proposals from international companies and from brotherly and friendly countries for the post-implementation of the five projects,” this work will soon result in a vision that agrees it has with these countries and international companies to complete the project, and to secure its operation and management, in a manner worthy of this vital port, as a station for the transport of goods and a point of communication between East and West.

He said: The government is working on this project as a strategic priority for the economy of Iraq, the region and the world. We are working on the Dry Canal project or the development road, which connects the port to Europe via Turkey, and we have dialogues with the Turkish side to reach an agreement formula. All these projects we are working on in parallel with implementation, which We are keen that it be at the required level and in accordance with the technical specifications, and there is no choice but to implement the port of Faw.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’a Al-Sudani, received, this evening, Sunday, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq, Muhammad Kazem Al Sadeq.

The two sides discussed, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to develop them, for the benefit of the Iraqi and Iranian peoples.

During the meeting, Al-Sudani affirmed Iraq’s balanced position and its approach that supports the language of dialogue, in order to achieve stability in the region and support sustainable development for all brotherly and friendly peoples on the path of progress and prosperity.

For his part, Ambassador Al Sadiq conveyed the Iranian leadership’s thanks and appreciation for the efforts made by Iraq in order to bridge views and facilitate the efforts that led to the recent understanding between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency