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Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi pledged on Saturday to organize “fair and clean” elections, on the eve of the start of upcoming demonstrations in Baghdad and other cities to mark the first anniversary of the unprecedented protests the country has witnessed. for a whole year.
“The main objective of the government is to prepare for free, fair and fair elections,” Al-Kazemi said in a televised anniversary speech, adding that his government is sticking to the date set for holding early elections, which are supposed to take place next June.
Al-Kazemi added: “We are working to ensure that international organizations and institutions monitor the elections to ensure greater transparency and integrity.”
He stressed that “the government will be in charge of protecting the elections from fraud and fugitive weapons by all legal means and security plans.”
The Iraqi prime minister spoke about some of his government’s achievements, noting that more than 30 corruption files had been opened.
He also noted that “Iraq was on this day on the brink of a regional and international war that could have occurred on its soil.”
He continued: “We work calmly and diplomatically to gather support to restore Iraq’s international weight and size and not allow it to slide into conflict on behalf of others or attack other of its neighbors.”
And that his government has achieved “much through strategic dialogue with the United States to consolidate national sovereignty, since we have made the same progress with our neighbors and friends in accordance with the principle of Iraqi interest first.”
On Saturday, hundreds of Iraqi protesters flocked to Tahrir Square in central Baghdad to participate in mass demonstrations scheduled for Sunday morning, marking the first anniversary of the start of unprecedented popular protests against the ruling political class.
On Saturday night, protesters organized a protest march near the Liberation Monument, in preparation for tomorrow, during which they chanted slogans calling for “overthrowing the regime.”
The demonstrations are expected to focus on Tahrir Square, which is separated by a single bridge from the fortified Green Zone, where the parliament building, the government headquarters and the US embassy are located.
Al-Kazemi, a former intelligence chief, took over as prime minister last May, succeeding Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned last December under pressure from protests.
More than 600 Iraqi protesters have been killed by security forces and militias loyal to Tehran, as confirmed by human rights activists and organizations.
