Prime Minister al-Maliki calls on US businesses to invest in Iraq

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has called on US businesses to invest in the country to help it recover from the war. The message comes as US troops prepare to withdraw from Iraq by the end of the year.

Speaking during a visit to Washington, al-Maliki said that the country's security situation has improved; and that Iraq was now being led by a civil as oppose to a military government. At present, the US is the leading foreign investor in the country.

Al-Maliki is on an official visit to Washington with 40 Iraqi delegates in a bid to sign trade co-operation agreements. Speaking to the US Chamber of Commerce, he said that Iraq was keep to sign oil co-operation deals and also others in healthcare, telecommunications, construction and financial services. He added that business possibilities for US companies were “limitless” and that they were best suited to help boost the country's economy.

He said: "It is not now the generals but the businessmen and the corporations that are at the forefront…All sectors of the economy are there, open for business for American business."

US President Barack Obama met al-Maliki on Monday 13th December. Speaking after the meeting he said he believed the Iraqi economy would grow at an even faster rate than India or China.

He also confirmed that all US troops would withdraw from Iraq at the end of the year, but added that the two countries would maintain a close relationahip.

He said: "We've got an enormous investment of blood and treasure in Iraq…And we want to make sure that even as we bring the last troops out, that it's well understood, both in Iraq and here in the United States, that our commitment to Iraq's success is going to be enduring."

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, WSJ

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.

US troops in Iraq: Will they stay or will they go?

Leader of Al-Iraqiya party Iyad Allawi has called on Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki to declare the status of US Forces within the country. Allawi voiced concern that the agreement between Baghdad and Washington was unclear, and noted that national partnership among the various factions is yet to be put into practice.

In a meeting with EU Ambassadors to Baghdad, Allawi said Al-Maliki is yet to clarify the US-Iraqi security agreement. He added that many were unsure whether the US troops would remain or withdraw from Iraq, or the timescale for either plan of action.

Following Allawi's comments, a senior US military official said US troops are expected to withdraw from the country at the end of the year, adding that Iraqi leaders should not expect them to return to mediate the security situation.

According to AFP, the anonymous security official, said: "If we left, and this is the health warning we would give to anybody, be careful about assuming that we will come running back to put out the fire if we don't have an agreement."

The official also noted that it would be wise of Iraqi leaders to request US troops to remain and train the Iraqi armed forces, a suggestion first made by US Defence Secretary Chief Robert Gates during his recent visit to Baghdad.

The US presence in Iraq remains a contentious issue, and one which seems no closer to a resolution. Gates spokesman Geoff Morrell said the Pentagon chief's message to Iraqi leaders was: "You all need to figure out what you need of us and what's politically feasible and we're ready to work with you on how to address those needs."

Speaking about the situation last year, Iraqi armed forces chief of staff, Gen Babaker Zebari, said the US withdrawal at the end of 2011 would be premature, adding that his forces would be unable to maintain security within the country unaided before 2020.

Sources: Alsumaria, AFP, Press TV

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.

A suicide bomber strikes Ramadi killing at least eight

Iraqi authorities have said that a suicide bomber has killed at least eight people, commemorating the birth of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, in the western city of Ramadi. The attack also injured the deputy governor of Anbar province, Hikmet Khalaf, and killed several policemen.

Speaking about the attack Khalaf said:"We were in the middle of a ceremony to celebrate the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's birthday when a male suicide bomber came to the door of the room and said 'God is great' and blew himself up."

The bombing occurred several hours after Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki called on the country to shun the planned mass protests on Friday 25th February. Al-Maliki said that militants, supporters of Saddam Hussein and members of the Al-Qa'ida may attempt to infiltrate the protests.

Addressing the nation on television al-Maliki said: "I call on you to be cautious and careful and stay away from this…Frankly speaking, they are planning to take advantage of tomorrow's demonstration for their own benefit.”

He went on to say that he did not object to peaceful protests, but added that "there are known factions... trying to jump on these legal demands and turn them in another direction that we certainly do not want."

The prime minister continued: “You can hold these demonstrations at any time or place you want, except for the place and time of a demonstration which Saddamists, terrorists and al-Qa'ida are behind…I am warning you about their plans, which are to change the course of [peaceful] rallies and protests, to... murder, riot, sabotage, hard-to-control strife, bombings."

The country's interior ministry has also warned the nation to be cautious, saying the militants may disguise themselves as security officials. The caution was seconded by two of Iraq's leading Shi'a clerics, Ayatollah Ali Sistani and Moqtada Sadr.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, Reuters, USA Today

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.

Al-Maliki will not seek third term in office

According to reports by Iraqi media, the country's Premier Minister Nouri Al-Maliki will not seek a third term in office when his tenure runs out in 2014. Al-Maliki also proposed to impose a two-term limit on future premiers, and received cross-party backing for the initiative.

Maliki remained in his post as prime minister after inconclusive poll results and nine months of political wrangling were ended by the formation of a new government. Speaking about the limit, al-Maliki said: "The constitution does not prevent a third, fourth or fifth term, but I have personally decided not to seek another term after this one. I support the insertion of a paragraph in the constitution that the prime minister gets only two turns, only eight years, and I think that's enough."

News of his decision come amid continuing pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. Referring to Egypt al-Maliki said,“The people have the right to express what they want without being persecuted. One of the characteristics of a lack of democracy is when a leader rules for 30 or 40 years. It is a difficult issue for people, it is intolerable and change is necessary."

Maliki's comments coincide with an upsurge of scattered protests across Iraq demanding jobs and an end to corruption, inspired by the pro-democracy demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia. Al-Maliki faces many challenges in his second term including, continuing instability and violence, division of oil wealth and the planned withdrawal of US troops by the end of 2011.

Sources: BBC News, Alsumaria, CNN, WSJ, The National

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.

Iraq's new government meets to discuss security

Iraq's new cabinet had its first meeting today, to address some of the country ongoing problems. After a record breaking nine months of political deadlock, Iraqi parliament voted a new team of minister into office on Tuesday 21st December.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, responsible for selecting the new cabinet members, met with his ministers this morning. Al-Maliki's advisor, Ali Moussawi, said that the prime minister met with his new team this morning to “to tell them that his three top priorities are security, public services, especially electricity, and relations with neighbouring countries."

After months of political wrangling among Iraq's main factions, the Iraqi parliament unanimously approved Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's 43 selected appointees for the cabinet. But the ministries, on Maliki's priority list, including security and electricity, currently have only acting heads.

For the time being, Maliki has assumed the role of the acting head for the ministries of defence, interior and national security, responsible for ensuring security after the pending withdrawal of US troops by the end of 2011.

The newly appointed cabinet and lawmakers face the difficult task of working together to rebuild the war-torn country, improve security and stabilise the economy. Only time will tell whether Iraq can stand on its own two feet independently.

Sources: AFP, The Independent, Guardian

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.

Iraq approves budget for 2011

Iraq's Government Spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh has said that the Iraqi cabinet has approved a $79.5 billion federal draft budget for 2011. Dabbagh said that the budget was estimated based on an oil price of $73 a barrel and average crude output of 2.25 million b/d.

The budged for 2011 showed an increase of approximately 9 per cent on the previous year's spending plan of 84.7 trillion dinars based on an oil price of $63.50 a barrel, and forecast deficit of 22.9 billion trillion.

The country's lawmakers are required to approve the plan, a process which has been delayed by the eight month political deadlock that followed inconclusive parliamentary election results in March. Iraq has made great strides last month in forming a new government when Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki secured a second term in office and was selected to chose the new cabinet.

Dabbagh said a total of 29 trillion dinars would be allotted to investment opportunities next year, and 64 trillion for operation expenses. Iraq's oil reserves are estimated to be in excess of 143.1 billion barrels , the country is depended on oil revenues for 95 per cent of its budget funding.

Source: Press TV

For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.