- Adel Abdul-Mahdi held his first news conference Thursday in a rehabilitated government compound opposite Baghdad鈥檚 iconic central railway station, in the city center.
- Abdul-Mahdi also said that Iraq will prioritize its own interests and independence when it comes to helping the United States enforce sanctions against Iran.
BAGHDAD: Iraq鈥檚 new prime minister is moving his offices outside Baghdad鈥檚 highly secure Green Zone, saying he wants to bring his government closer to the people.
Adel Abdul-Mahdi held his first news conference Thursday in a rehabilitated government compound opposite Baghdad鈥檚 iconic central railway station, in the city center.
The US built a wall around the Green Zone in 2003 to secure its embassy and Iraq鈥檚 government. But it has become a symbol of Iraq鈥檚 aggressive inequality and fueled the perception among Iraqis that their government is out of touch.
Abdul-Mahdi says he believes all Iraq should be a 鈥淕reen Zone鈥� and says he will prioritize providing security, water and electricity during his term.
The new Iraqi prime minister also said Thursday that Iraq will prioritize its own interests and independence when it comes to helping the United States enforce sanctions against Iran.
President Donald Trump鈥檚 decision to withdraw the United States from a 2015 international nuclear accord with Tehran in May and reimpose sanctions has put Abdul-Mahdi鈥檚 incoming government in a difficult position, since Iraq鈥檚 economy is closely intertwined with neighboring Iran鈥檚.
鈥淲e want to secure Iraq from any interference in issues, affairs of other countries, whether it鈥檚 a neighboring country or it鈥檚 any other country in the world,鈥� Abdul-Mahdi told the news conference in Baghdad.
The United States and Iran, increasingly at odds, are Iraq鈥檚 two biggest allies, and Washington has said there will be consequences for countries that do not respect the sanctions.
Abdul-Mahdi鈥檚 statement on Thursday did not deviate much from the stance of his predecessor, Haider Al-Abadi.
In August Abadi said Iraq was against the sanctions 鈥渁s a matter of principle,鈥� but that the country would follow them.
鈥淲e consider them a strategic mistake and incorrect but we will abide by them to protect the interests of our people. We will not interact with them or support them but we will abide by them,鈥� he said.
Abadi鈥檚 government later asked Washington for permission to ignore some sanctions on its neighbor. Abdul-Mahdi did not say on Thursday whether his government would continue to seek the exemptions.
The next wave of sanctions are due to come into effect on Nov 4.