Baghdad: Today’s newspapers have prominently covered the significant meeting between Iraq’s religious authority, Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, and the UN representative in Iraq, Mohammed al-Hassan. This meeting, alongside directives from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani aimed at unifying efforts within the Iraqi Media Network (IMN), has drawn considerable attention.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zawraa newspaper, affiliated with the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, reported that Sayyid Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani emphasized the importance of preventing foreign interference and enforcing the rule of law in Iraq. He also called for restricting weapons to state control and combating corruption. Al-Sistani expressed his disappointment over the international community’s inability to implement effective solutions to halt the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza. Meanwhile, UN representative Mohammed al-Hassan expressed agreement with al-Sistani on collaborative efforts to enhance Iraq’s stability and security.

A
statement from al-Sistani’s office revealed that Mohammed al-Hassan provided a briefing on the international mission’s objectives in Iraq. In response, al-Sistani welcomed the UN’s presence and wished success for its mission, acknowledging the significant challenges facing Iraq and the suffering of its people. Al-Sistani urged Iraqis, particularly the conscious elites, to learn from past experiences and strive for a secure, stable, and prosperous future.

Al-Sabah newspaper highlighted Prime Minister al-Sudani’s meeting with the Board of Trustees of the Iraqi Media Network. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of consolidating national media and spotlighting community issues and government activities. He directed efforts to unify the Board of Trustees and the Presidency of the IMN, emphasizing professional standards and removing obstacles to ensure the network’s independent operations.

Additionally, the Prime Minister has initiated steps to enhance electronic payment systems as part of the government’s
financial and economic reform agenda. This includes localizing private sector salaries and mandating electronic payments in government transactions. Al-Sudani also chaired a meeting assessing the progress of automating customs operations, with discussions focusing on transitioning from paper to electronic processes at ports and border crossings.

In a separate meeting, Prime Minister al-Sudani welcomed Dutch Ambassador Janet Alberda, who presented a draft memorandum for ministerial cooperation between Iraq and the Netherlands. Discussions included bilateral relations and the importance of delivering relief aid to conflict-affected regions in Lebanon and Gaza.