Baghdad (NINA) – Thursday’s newspapers highlighted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi’s visit to Bahrain and the election of Vala Farid as Speaker of the Kurdistan Region’s Parliament.

The semi-official Al-Sabah newspaper, published by the Iraqi Media Network, reported that, as part of the government’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to open new avenues of cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of Iraq and the peoples of the region, Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on Wednesday. The visit marks the first by an Iraqi prime minister to Manama since 2003.

The newspaper noted that the Bahraini capital hosted high-level talks between Al-Zaidi and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Discussions focused on ways to strengthen bilateral relations and coordinate positions on regional and international issues amid the rapidly evolving challenges facing the region.

Al-Zaidi stressed that Iraq and Bahrain share common security interests, emphasizing that the current phase requires closer coordination and a commitment to dialogue as a means of achieving peace and bringing regional tensions to an end.

For his part, King Hamad welcomed the Iraqi prime minister’s visit, reaffirming Bahrain’s support for the Iraqi government and its commitment to strengthening bilateral partnership and shared interests in ways that promote stability and joint Arab action.

The newspaper added that Al-Zaidi also held expanded official talks with Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The discussions addressed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation across various vital sectors.

The Bahraini Crown Prince described the visit as historic, expressing hope that it would pave the way for further cooperation and the development of fruitful economic partnerships. He also underscored Iraq’s pivotal role in the region.


On another topic, the Iraqi edition of Al-Zaman newspaper reported that the Kurdistan Region’s Parliament has brought a two-year political deadlock to an end by electing Vala Farid as Speaker, Rami Nouri Audish as Deputy Speaker, and Mona Nabi Qahwaji as Parliament Secretary. The elections were accompanied by calls to overcome political differences and unify positions in preparation for completing the remaining constitutional and parliamentary requirements.

Citing a statement issued on Wednesday, the newspaper reported that Vala Farid was elected Speaker, while Rami Nouri Audish, representing the Christian component in Erbil, was elected Deputy Speaker with 52 votes out of 53. Mona Nabi Qahwaji was also elected Parliament Secretary, securing 52 votes.

The statement added that the newly elected parliamentary leadership formally assumed responsibility for managing the session following the completion of the elections during the first sitting of the Parliament’s sixth term, marking the resumption of legislative and institutional activities.

For her part, Farid called on all members of Parliament to attend and actively participate in upcoming sessions and fulfil their legislative duties in line with their responsibilities.

She also stressed the need for parliamentary blocs to submit their nominees for parliamentary committees by next Monday, paving the way for the completion of the committees’ formation and the commencement of their work.


On another topic, Al-Zawraa newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, reported that Transport Minister Wahab Al-Hassani had reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing efforts to meet the requirements for lifting the European ban on Iraqi Airways.

Citing a statement by the Ministry of Transport, the newspaper reported that Al-Hassani conducted a comprehensive review of Iraqi Airways’ operational performance and service development during a meeting he chaired on Wednesday at the company’s headquarters inside Baghdad International Airport. The meeting was attended by the company’s Director General and department heads.

The statement noted that, over the course of more than two hours, the minister listened to detailed briefings from department officials, reviewing achievements, identifying shortcomings and examining operational, technical and administrative challenges. He also discussed proposed solutions to address these issues, directing officials to accelerate remedial measures, remove obstacles hindering the company’s operations and shorten the gap between decision-making and implementation.

The newspaper added that the meeting addressed fleet modernization, follow-up on aircraft procurement projects, and efforts to enhance operational readiness. Discussions also covered the rehabilitation of the company’s facilities and infrastructure, improving the performance of its domestic and international offices, and making better use of its resources to strengthen its capacity to deliver services that meet passengers’ expectations.

Al-Hassani stressed, according to the statement, that revitalizing Iraq’s national carrier begins with efficient management and swift responses, as well as translating proposed solutions into concrete measures whose positive impact can be felt by passengers./ End




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