Iraq government spokesman affirms full commitment to salary payments

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi government spokesman Haidar al-Abbadi said on Tuesday that the government has taken full responsibility for paying public-sector salaries and that the country's finances are on a steady course. He said coordination between the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance has been decisive in sustaining payments. Al-Abbadi said the decision on whether to draft a 2026 budget or move directly to a 2027 budget has been left to the Ministry of Finance. He added that the government has begun program-based budgeting work with the World Bank and parliament's Finance Committee to improve spending policies. The spokesman said economic issues will top the agenda of the prime minister's upcoming visit to Washington, adding that the government is managing its obligations in a planned manner under current security and economic conditions. He said cabinet formation talks are continuing within a framework of political consensus and could be completed quickly if a deal is reached. Al-Abbadi also said the prime minister will not make concessions on disclosing the officials responsible for using public resources. No further details on the Washington trip or the budget timetable were immediately available.