Al-Halbousi condemns the attacks against the crowd and calls for the protection of the coalition forces

Baghdad / … Parliament Speaker Muhammad Al-Halbousi condemned, today, Monday, the attack on pieces of the popular crowd, which left a number of martyrs and wounded, considering this targeting a violation of the sovereignty of Iraq.

The President of the House of Representatives said, in a statement received by “Eye of Iraq News”, that while we call for restraint, we renew our call for all forces to be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

He stressed the need to adhere to providing protection for diplomatic missions and international coalition forces that are present on Iraqi soil at the request and approval of the government, and to unite efforts to complete the war against ISIS.

The Security Media Cell announced, earlier on Sunday evening, December 29, 2019, that the headquarters of the 45th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization had been subjected to three American air strikes, which resulted in the death of four fighters, including the brigade commander’s aide, and the injury of 30 others.

The Popular Mobilization also said, in a statement, that the attack targeted the leadership of the Al-Jazeera Operations Sector in Anbar Province and the location of the 45th and 46th Brigade, and resulted in 19 martyrs and 35 wounded.

Earlier, the US Department of Defense announced that its air force had carried out “defensive” raids on 5 targets of this armed group in the territories of both Iraq and Syria in response to attacks that had previously targeted US bases in Iraq. Finished 2

Aynaliraqnews.com

The President of the Republic meets with the Construction Alliance and the National Alliance

Baghdad – news: A political source confirmed today, Monday, that the President of the Republic, Barham Salih, met with the Construction Alliance and the National Alliance.

The source said to “Al-Akhbaria”, “The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, ended a meeting with the National Coalition on Monday morning.”

He added, “After the first meeting, he held a new meeting with the Construction Alliance to discuss the issue of the new prime minister’s nomination.”

It is noteworthy that the President of the Republic Barham Saleh refused earlier, to assign the candidate of the Construction Alliance Asaad Al-Eidani, to head the Council of Ministers.

The MP revealed that Al-Fateh Al-Mandawi and Parliamentary Bloc Ahmed Al-Kinani revealed today that the coming hours will witness an agreement to name the new Prime Minister.

It is worth noting that the candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers, Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, affirmed earlier yesterday, Sunday (December 29, 2019), that he was not prepared to assume the position of prime minister, succeeding Adel Abdul Mahdi, unless he agreed with the demonstrators.

Ikhnews.com

A significant increase in Central Bank sales to reach 257 million dollars!!

The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Sunday, a large increase in its sales in the currency auction to reach $ 257 million.

The Central Bank of Iraq witnessed during its auction for the sale and purchase of foreign currencies today, an increase in its sales to reach 257 million and 242 thousand dollars, covered by the bank at a basic exchange rate of 1190 dinars per dollar, compared to last Wednesday, which amounted to 194 million and 412 thousand dollars.

The request was distributed by 234 million and 822 thousand dollars to enhance the balances abroad in the form of transfers and credits, while the remaining 22 million and 420 thousand dollars were distributed in the form of a cash sale that was fully covered by the bank at an exchange rate of 1190 dinars per one dollar.

While none of the 33 banks in the currency auction made any offers to sell the dollar.

It is mentioned that the central bank conducts daily sessions to buy and sell foreign currencies except for the official holidays that the bank stops from these auctions.

Alsumaria.tv

Iranian agents threaten the Iraqi president with death

Drones circled over the presidential palace of Saleh’s terrorism

Discussions are under way in the Iraqi parliament to deal with the resignation of President Barham Salih. A source in the legal committee said that Saleh did not submit a resignation in the legal sense of the resignation, but he delivered a message to Parliament that included (in preparation for the resignation), which is a threat from the president because of the pressure he is being subjected to. And that there is a scenario that is being implemented by the building coalition supported by Iran, which includes activating Saleh’s resignation, and approval by Parliament in preparation for the assignment of Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi to carry out the tasks of the President of the Republic through which the candidate adopted by the factions close to Iran is passed.

For his part, a member of the Iraqi parliament revealed that President Barham Salih had been subjected to death threats because he refused the building coalition candidate.

Representative Muhammad Nouri Abd Rabu said that drones equipped with explosive devices flew over the presidential palace to deliver a threatening message to Saleh that his life would be in danger if he insisted on rejecting the largest bloc candidate.

Security sources in Baghdad accuse one of the Iranian-backed armed factions of threatening the President of the Republic, including messages he received on his phone and another through drones carrying explosives that can target the President’s headquarters. This came in conjunction with a strongly worded statement against President Saleh issued by the Hezbollah Brigades, the most powerful Iranian-backed Shiite faction.

The Brigades said in its statement that the President of the Republic, Barham Salih, is implementing an American will that plans to drag the country into chaos and keep the political crisis without a way out to impose a new American occupation under international cover, confirming a hostile stance in favor of armed factions and parties loyal to Iran.

Akhbar-alkhaleej.com

Sheikh Ali: Al-Amiri rejects my candidacy for prime minister because I will try him as a criminal who fought Iraq

Baghdad / news – Member of Parliament and candidate for prime minister, Faik Sheikh Ali, confirmed today, Sunday, that Al-Fateh leader Hadi Al-Amri is the one who refuses to nominate him to head the government.

Sheikh Ali said in a tweet on his Twitter account: “The decision of Iraq is now in the hands of Hadi Al-Amri .. It is he who refuses to accept the nomination of Faeq Sheikh Ali for prime minister.

Do you know why? Because he knows for sure that I will prosecute him as a criminal who fought Iraq and his people, and with his neck the blood of innocent Iraqis And a thief stole the Iraqi oil and the funds of the Ministry of Transport … and dozens of charges await him!”

Ikhnews.com

With the stroke of a pen … the disappearance of 15 tons of gold in the Central Bank of Iraq

Baghdad / news – The former deputy, Jawad Al-Shuhaili, revealed the disappearance of 15 tons of gold in the Central Bank of Iraq.

Al-Shuhaili said in a press statement followed by “Al-Akhbariya”, that “15 tons of gold have disappeared in the Central Bank of Iraq.”

He explained, “I filed a lawsuit with the public prosecutor, and the Central Bank replied to me not to buy gold, but he acknowledged the existence of gold.”

He added that “the time of buying gold took place during the presidency of Sinan al-Shabibi, and the loss came directly after it,” noting that “the central bank closed the case without adequate investigation.”

Ikhnews.com

Barham Salih pulls off political masterstroke with resignation threat

Analysis: Mr Salih puts the ball into the Baghdad parliament’s court

In a political masterstroke, the Iraqi President Barham Salih has made his rejection of the current Prime Ministerial candidate Assad Al Eidani public.

After days of discreetly trying to convince the leadership of the political bloc Binaa, heavily supported by Iran, of the folly of their choice of Al Eidani, Mr Salih has made his rejection abundantly clear.

Mr Salih has gone so far as to announce that he would step down, rather than appoint Al Eidani to the position. In a four-page letter sent to the head of parliament on Thursday afternoon, Mr Salih made clear that Al Eidani is neither a suitable candidate nor one that meets the aspirations of Iraq’s protesters.

Mr Al Eidani was the governor of Basra, and is widely rejected as a candidate by the protest movement in Iraq due to the rampant corruption and mismanagement during his tenure in Basra. One of the primary calls of the protestors has been for a non-political and non-partisan figure to take the position of Prime Minister, and Mr Al Eidani is neither.

Mr Salih believes that parliament had to decide whether they will give him the opportunity to choose a Prime Minister who meets the demands of the protesters that took to the streets since last October, or the presidency becomes vacant. With a fragmented parliament, it is unlikely that the legislature will vote to remove Mr Salih, making it likely that Mr Al Eidani’s candidacy will fail. Should parliament accept Mr Salih’s resignation, Iraq would enter into a greater period of uncertainty.

In his letter, Mr Salih accepts that the constitution mandates that the largest parliamentary bloc can choose the candidate for Prime Minister but he explains that this choice is unacceptable. He goes on to say that “the will of the Iraqi people is the source of legitimacy for all authorities in the country”, and thus he cannot go against it. What remains to be seen is whether the protesters in the streets of Iraq will support Mr Salih in this move. If he can gain their support, then parliament will not be in a position to accept his resignation, nor impose Al Eidani. Thus far, no sitting official has been able to gain the support or trust of the protesters.

The unexpected move by Mr Salih is a smart one, allowing him more freedom to choose a suitable Prime Minister, or to leave his position with dignity.

Thenational.ae

Demonstrators thank the President of the Republic for his refusal of party candidates

Baghdad: The Tahrir Square demonstrators thanked the President of the Republic for his refusal of the party candidates and for his standing with the demands of the demonstrators.

The demonstrators commented a large post of the President of the Republic on the Turkish restaurant, asking him to assign a person to whom the conditions of the demonstrators apply and not to respond to the candidates of the parties and “will not be their enemy.”

Altahreernews.com

Al-Eidani leaves the presidential palace without a mandate

Baghdad / Obelisk: Private sources reported, on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, that the building coalition delegation, along with its candidate for the position of Prime Minister Asaad Al-Eidani, left the Peace Palace after meeting with President Barham Saleh, without assignment.

The sources said, “The Building Alliance” decided to nominate Al-Eidani to head the new Iraqi government.

And media reports have previously expected that Al-Aidani, who is the governor of Basra, will face the fate of many names that have been excluded during the past days, especially as it is linked to the minds of many to try to attack demonstrators in the southern governorate during protests witnessed a year ago.

On Wednesday, December 25, 2019, the member of the Construction Alliance, Intisar Al-Gharibawi, denied sending a book to the President of the Republic to assign the governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani, as Prime Minister.

Al-Gharabawi said in an interview with local media, that “the news that talked about sending a book to the Presidency of the Republic, regarding the appointment of al-Idani, as prime minister, is incorrect.”

She noted that “matters have not been clarified so far regarding the alternative candidate for Qusay al-Suhail.”

Earlier in the day, local media and social media circulated news that the Construction Alliance had sent a book to the Presidency of the Republic, regarding Al-Idani’s appointment as prime minister.

The talk comes about the candidacy of Asaad Al-Eidani, after he sent an official book to the President of the Republic, Barham Salih, that includes the candidacy of the Minister of Higher Education, Qusay al-Suhail, for the position of prime minister, which was widely rejected in the demonstration arenas, and from a number of political blocs and alliances, led by an alliance Walkers.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Union of Forces, Representative Abdullah Al-Kharbit, revealed on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, a forthcoming meeting of leaders of the Construction Alliance to agree on the selection of the next prime minister, indicating that the coalition authorized Mohamed Al-Halbousi to attend the meeting and the final agreement.

Al-Kharbait said in a statement to local media that “a crucial meeting will be held today for the leaders of the Construction Alliance to resolve the final candidate for prime minister will be held within the next few hours.”

Almasalah.com

BGG ~ Al-Eidani strikes out… “he left without an assignment…”

Iraq president Barham Salih offers to step down amid protests

He says he would rather leave than back a pro-Iran prime minister rejected by the protest movement

Iraqi President Barham Salih has handed his resignation to parliament after refusing to endorse a nominee for the prime ministership from an Iran backed political group.

He said that he would rather step down than pick a new prime minister rejected by demonstrators but as the constitution does not allow him to reject a nomination he would resign.

Parliament will now have to meet to discuss and vote on the resignation. If they endorse the move, Mr Salih will step down.

Parliament’s Binaa bloc on Wednesday nominated Assad Al Eidani, the governor of Basra and a former minister of youth and sports. The alliance is led by Iranian-backed politician Hadi Al Amiri.

He said he would prefer to resign than to nominate Al Eidani. In his letter, he pointed out that the constitution “binds the president to nominate the candidate of the largest bloc to form the cabinet, without the right of objection.”

Adding: “since my position about this current candidacy is considered unconstitutional, I, therefore, place my readiness to resign from the presidency in front of the members of parliament, so that they can decide based on their responsibilities as representatives of the people.”

He said that the protest movement makes it imperative that politicians look at the interests of the public over personal or political considerations.

“It is better for me to resign rather than to assign an individual that is objected by the protesters to form a government,” he added.

Protesters in Baghdad blocked roads and bridges and in the south demonstrators torched several buildings overnight on Wednesday in response to the announcement of Mr Al Eidani’s nomination.

“The government is hostage to corrupt parties and sectarian divisions”, said one activist, Sattar Jabbar, 25, in the southern city of Nasiriyah.

Smoke and flames from burning tyres in Nasiriyah, Basra and Diwaniyah blocked major roads and bridges across the Euphrates all night, AFP correspondents reported, before some of these roadblocks were lifted in the morning.

In Nasiriyah, demonstrators set the provincial government building ablaze overnight for a second time since the protests began, and protesters also torched the new headquarters of a pro-Iran militia in Diwaniyah.

In his letter, Mr Salih pointed to the ongoing issue over which political bloc in parliament was the largest and therefore allowed to submit their nomination for prime minister. The issue has not been resolved since the election in May 2018.

“We’ve received various statements about which bloc has the largest number of lawmakers and discussions are ongoing regarding this issue.”

Since the start of October, tens of thousands of Iraqis have been on the streets demanding a change in leadership and a government that can tackle endemic corruption, unemployment and improve public services.

Over 450 demonstrators have been killed since the movement began, with security forces and Iran-backed Iraqi militias blamed for bloody crackdowns. More than 25,000 have been wounded.

On December, parliament voted to accept prime minister Adil Abdul Mahdi’s resignation, collapsing the government. Since then, no consensus has been reached on a replacement who can start assembling a government.

The move by Mr Salih puts the ball back into Parliament’s court to seek a solution to the crisis. The departure of the president at a time when there is no cabinet would throw the country into a political crisis with no leadership and facing mass rallies across the capital and the south.

“Mr Salih will not be ordered or bossed around by corrupt parties,” Ahmed Al Jabouri, the vocally anti-Iran MP for Nineveh province, wrote on Twitter in support of the president. “We reject your resignation Mr Salih because you have stood by the public and by your personal interests by choosing Assad Al Eidani.”

Amjad Al Aqabi, an MP in Sairoon bloc, said he rejects the resignation of Mr Salih and that his bloc will support the president’s decision in rejecting any “intimidating” figures.

Iraqi populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr thanked Mr Salih for rejection Mr El Aidani

Within moments of the news, the hashtag “Barham Salih is the People’s President” began trending on Twitter in Arabic.

Thenational.ae