Hakim praises Amir’s efforts during meeting with media delegation

BAGHDAD: Leader of the National Wisdom Movement Ammar Al-Hakim poses with the Kuwaiti media delegation late Saturday. Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan is seen fourth from right. — KUNA

BAGHDAD: Leader of the National Wisdom Movement Ammar Al-Hakim said the international donor conference to rebuild Iraq to be hosted by Kuwait in February adds to Kuwait's brilliant image and will further bolster bilateral ties between Kuwait and Iraq. He said during a meeting with a Kuwaiti media delegation visiting the capital Baghdad late Saturday that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has always been supporting Iraq to overcome various crises. He also mentioned Kuwait's role in liberating his country from Saddam Hussein's regime by opening its land and airspace to allow the movement of armed forces.

On the other hand, Hakim said that the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections will create stability and boost democracy in the country. This year's elections are similar to those of 2005, when Iraq moved from dictatorship to democracy, he said during the meeting with the Kuwaiti media delegation.

Iraq has witnessed many prominent achievements recently, including defeating the so-called Islamic State (IS) that occupied 40 percent of Iraqi land, overcoming religious extremism which was destroying stability and security and reaching a level of political unity, Hakim noted. He added that the government aims to build a country able to provide citizens with complete services as well as job opportunities and residence, while developing its infrastructure and fighting corruption.

Iraq is currently producing up to five million barrels per day, while the country will benefit from the production of natural gas by 100 percent end of 2018. Meanwhile, he noted that the wisdom party pays attention to fully represent women and youth, especially college graduates as these two categories form the majority of Iraqi society.

Responding to a question on the possibility of postponing the elections set for May 12, Hakim said he doesn't believe there is any reason to delay the process. On Thursday, the Iraqi parliament failed to vote on the set date for the elections due to the absence of some MPs. The parliament will hold another vote today to approve the date of May's elections.

The Kuwaiti delegation includes Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Saad Al-Ali, Secretary General of Kuwait Journalists Association Adnan Al-Rashed, Editor-in-Chief of Kuwait Times Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan and senior officials from the information ministry and Kuwaiti newspapers. The international donor conference to rebuild Iraq will be held from Feb 12 to 14, chaired by the European Union, Iraq, Kuwait, the UN and the World Bank. - KUNA