Hoshyar Zebari, Iraq's former Foreign Minister
Media Monitor
Former Iraq’s FM Zebari: Upcoming parliamentary elections among Iraq’s most difficult
ERBIL — Former Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has warned of rising internal divisions, foreign interference, and potential political instability ahead of Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for Nov. 11.
Speaking to Dijlah TV, Zebari said the elections “will be among the most difficult,” citing growing polarization within the Shia political landscape and the emergence of a “third Shia current,” which he said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani feels close to. He added that “money will play a major role in the upcoming elections” and claimed that “several countries are interfering in Iraq’s elections.”
Commenting on broader regional dynamics, Zebari said, “The region is heading toward more escalation, and Iraq is in the heart of the storm, both security and economy-wise.” He added that success in ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations remains “very possible.”
On domestic issues, Zebari described Iraq as facing “intellectual terrorism” and called for stronger efforts to counter related campaigns. He also cast doubt on the possibility of a Sunni assuming Iraq’s presidency, saying, “It is unlikely the presidency will go to the Sunni component.”
Addressing controversy surrounding the Khor Abdullah waterway agreement with Kuwait, Zebari rejected accusations that any Iraqi government had relinquished territory. “[Nouri Al-]Maliki’s government did not sell Khor Abdullah, contrary to rumors,” he said, adding that Iraq had consulted top legal experts during the drafting of the agreement and that it passed after “extensive discussions” in parliament. He dismissed recent objections as politically motivated and linked to electoral rivalries, saying, “obscure lawmakers are behind the accusations.”
The Khor Abdullah agreement, signed in 2012, regulates navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway, Iraq’s maritime outlet to the Gulf. The channel lies between Kuwait’s Bubiyan and Warba islands and Iraq’s Al-Faw Peninsula.
Excerpts from Hoshyar Zebari’s interview with Dijlah TV:
Maliki’s government did not sell Khor Abdullah, contrary to rumors. Neither Ameri, nor Rafi Al-Issawi, nor Al-Sudani sold Khor Abdullah.
International resolutions are binding, including those on border demarcation. Iraq did not demarcate its borders after 2003 because they were already delineated.
Iraq consulted top legal experts in drafting the Khor Abdullah agreement. The Khor Abdullah issue is being raised due to elections and political targeting. The Khor Abdullah agreement law was passed in parliament after extensive discussions. The Federal Court did not annul the Khor Abdullah agreement, only its ratification.
The Federal Court rejected a lawsuit by a lawmaker over the Khor agreement ten years ago. We hope the Federal Court reverses its decision on the Khor Abdullah agreement.
Kuwait cooperated with Iraq on regulating navigation in Khor Abdullah. Iraq has not relinquished its rights to Khor Abdullah. Obscure lawmakers are behind the accusations related to Khor Abdullah.
Hosting the Arab summit was not easy and came as a result of government efforts. I cannot say Arab states are innocent in targeting Iraq.
Opening fronts with Arab states affects summit participation. Iraq is experiencing ‘intellectual terrorism’ and these campaigns must be countered.
The VIP Hall at Baghdad Airport and other projects “we take pride in” were part of 2012 Arab summit preparations.
Al-Sharaa became a reality and was welcomed with a red carpet in Paris. Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s brother worked in Erbil for years. We did not invite Al-Sharaa to visit the Kurdistan Region, but he is welcome.
The amendment to the election law received no response, so we will proceed with the old law.
Our relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran is good and they dealt with us directly.
Several countries are interfering in Iraq’s elections.
A ‘third Shia current’ is emerging in Iraq. Al-Sudani feels close to the third Shia current. The upcoming elections will be among the most difficult. Shia polarization has become very intense.
Money will play a major role in the upcoming elections. I believe the political system could face upheavals despite assurances.
The region is heading toward more escalation, and Iraq is at the center of the storm, both security and economy-wise.
Success in U.S.-Iran negotiations is very possible. Historically, the Gulf was called the ‘Persian Gulf’.
Corruption has expanded significantly in recent times. Sunni leadership cannot claim supremacy. It is unlikely the presidency will go to the Sunni component.
