Iraq Electricity Minister Dismisses Central Region Company Manager

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Electricity Minister dismissed the head of the Central Region General Electricity Production Company in Baghdad, according to a ministry statement. The minister ordered Ali Ahmed Hasan's removal in a decision the ministry said was issued directly. The minister cited concerns about project cost estimates, warning that project budgets showed unacceptable inflation that had reached the level of theft. No further details about the specific projects or amounts were provided. The minister also addressed a governors' meeting in Baghdad, emphasizing that weapons must remain under state control. The meeting reiterated that uncontrolled weapons should not be found outside legal institutions. The ministry announced that appointment and financial processes would be placed under stricter oversight. No information was immediately available on Hasan's successor.