President Salih hosts a meeting with PM, Speaker of Parliament, SJC

INA - LIVE UPDATES - BAGHDAD
 
President Barham Salih hosted on Wednesday, a meeting that included Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Parliament Speaker Muhammad Al-Halbousi, and the President of the Supreme Judicial Council – SJC, Judge Faiq Zaidan to study the latest developments in the country and its repercussions.
 
The meeting affirmed that the ongoing state of political turmoil negatively affects the national efforts ‘aimed at consolidating security, stability and the safety of citizens, as this calls for an active and serious stance from all to prevent escalation and adopt the national dialogue as the only way to resolve crises’, according to a statement by the Presidency of the Republic, received by the Iraqi News Agency – INA.
 
The meeting pointed to "the need to take all steps to resume effective dialogue committed to the foundations of the supreme national interest, protect civil and social peace, reassure citizens, and take the necessary measures to treat the current crisis."
 
They stressed "the need to protect all state institutions as to preserve prestige and independence in accordance with legal and constitutional contexts."
 
Peaceful demonstration and expression of opinion ‘is a constitutionally guaranteed right, with the need to adhere to regulations and laws, maintain public security and public property, as to deal with demands in accordance with legal and constitutional frameworks,’ included the statement.

During the meeting, they highlighted "the duty of the security forces in all their formations to protect stability in the country and preserve public security and public property, as well as the need not to get them involved in political disputes under any circumstance, for it is to guarantee protecting the homeland and citizens. That’s the responsibility of the state and its constitutional institutions to preserve the security and rights of Iraqis."
 
"The ongoing political crises affects Iraq's role in the international community, and may affect the disruption of cooperation, understandings and agreements concluded in various fields, especially those that affect the living and service needs of citizens,” according to the statement.
 
All four attendees agreed on, "the need for concerted efforts by all authorities, political forces and social actors, to close ranks and take unified, serious and decisive positions to treat the crisis in accordance with the peaceful and democratic constitutional path."