Latest news with #Firasal-Maslamawi
Shafaq News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
PM Sudani's bloc gains majority ahead of elections
Shafaq News - Baghdad Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's new parliamentary bloc, Reconstruction and Development, has officially become the largest in Iraq's legislature ahead of the parliamentary elections on November 11. According to its spokesperson, Firas al-Maslamawi, the bloc submitted an official letter to the speaker of parliament on Saturday, endorsed by 53 lawmakers. The group aims to push forward legislation related to health, education, infrastructure, and public services. Among its early priorities are laws governing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Retirement and Service Law, as well as pending legislation concerning national security and intelligence agencies, he pointed out. Al-Maslamawi further indicated that 'the bloc will take the lead in driving parliament's agenda during the current session,' highlighting the need for regular sittings to pass laws directly tied to citizens' needs. Regarding the Khor Abdullah maritime dispute, he affirmed that the previous agreement had been nullified by a binding Federal Supreme Court decision. The case has been referred to parliamentary committees and advisers to determine whether a revised legal framework is required, the MP noted, adding that any future deal must protect Iraq's sovereignty. He also pointed to the bloc's core principles of citizenship and fair wealth distribution, noting that additional lawmakers are expected to join soon, potentially raising its total to 60 members.
Shafaq News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
New bloc in Iraq's Parliament: Reconstruction and Development begins work
Shafaq News – Baghdad Newly-formed parliamentary bloc Reconstruction and Development has begun legislative work, MP Firas al-Maslamawi announced on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference inside the Council of Representatives, al-Maslamawi described the bloc as 'a national project to rebuild the Iraqi state and establish a mature political order,' grounded in stability, fair distribution of wealth, and responsive governance. Formed on May 20 by fifty lawmakers, the bloc's legislative priorities include economic reform bills, development support across provinces, and revitalization of Iraq's industrial and agricultural sectors. Members also pledged to strengthen parliamentary oversight, fight corruption, and restore public trust in state institutions. "Reconstruction is not a slogan but a process of restoring institutional authority and passing legislation that meets the needs of Iraq's diverse population," al-Maslamawi stressed.
Shafaq News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Parliament demands air defense upgrade
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraq's Parliament called for urgent enhancement of national air defense systems after repeated Israeli violations of Iraqi airspace during operations against Iran. In a statement following a closed-door session, lawmakers urged the government to strengthen aerial, land, and maritime defense capabilities, file a formal complaint with the United Nations, and safeguard Iraqi sovereignty. The Parliament also endorsed the Najaf religious authority's (Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani) stance in support of Iran and firmly rejected the use of Iraqi territory for cross-border military operations. MP Firas al-Maslamawi of the State of Law Coalition, a main alliance within the pro-Iranian Coordination Framework, pointed to growing calls to reassess Iraq's security cooperation with the Global Coalition, citing failures to prevent airspace violations and effectively address ISIS threats. 'Israeli incursions and ineffective counterterrorism coordination highlight the urgent need to protect our airspace,' he noted. To address defense gaps, Parliament announced the formation of a joint committee from the security and integrity blocs to examine delays in acquiring modern air defense systems. Since June 13, Iraqi airspace has become a corridor for missiles and drones exchanged between Israel and Iran, and according to military experts, Baghdad currently lacks advanced systems capable of intercepting such threats. In response, Iraqi forces have deployed anti-air units to strategic sites, including the Bazarkan oil field in Maysan province. A security official told Shafaq News the systems remain in monitoring mode and will only be activated if a direct threat is detected.
