Amedi, Zaidan stress finishing government formation ahead of upcoming leadership meeting

BAGHDAD — Iraqi President Nizar Amedi and Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan discussed legal files scheduled for an upcoming meeting of Iraq’s top state leaders, according to statements issued Wednesday by the presidency and the judiciary.

The two sides reviewed “a number of legal files that will be discussed at the presidencies meeting scheduled to be held soon,” the Supreme Judicial Council said. The statement did not specify the files. The Prime Minister and Parliament Speaker will also attend the meeting.

According to the presidency, the meeting also addressed the general situation in the country, the rule of law and judicial independence.

Amedi said the presidency is committed to supporting the judiciary and enabling it to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, praising what he described as the judiciary’s role in “protecting the constitutional system” and “strengthening citizens’ confidence in state institutions.”

The president also called for cooperation among political forces, stressing “the need to unite efforts and prioritize the public interest in order to complete the formation of the current government and enable it to implement its program and service priorities.”

Neither statement specified a date for the planned presidencies meeting.

Ali al-Zaidi was approved as prime minister on May 14 after months of disputes within the Coordination Framework. He took the constitutional oath on May 16.

Parliament approved 14 ministers but rejected nominees for planning, culture, construction and housing, higher education and interior. Voting on defense, labor, migration and youth and sports ministries was postponed. The incomplete cabinet has become a focus of renewed political negotiations.