Iraq PM urges diaspora support for rebuilding Nineveh Plain in Washington meeting

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Ali al-Zaidi met with Iraqi business figures in Washington and called on the Christian diaspora to help rebuild the Nineveh Plain, his office said. The meeting, held at the prime minister's office, brought together representatives of Iraqi Christian communities from Michigan and focused on education, health, the oil industry and reconstruction. Speaking at the gathering, al-Zaidi described religious and cultural diversity as a national strength for Iraq and said the government was working to create conditions favorable for investment. He added that plans to raise oil production over the next three years were continuing. The prime minister also stressed the need for Christian families to return to Nineveh and reinforce their historical presence there, reiterating the government's commitment to protecting those communities. Participants said the opening of U.S. bank branches in Iraq would help facilitate trade and investment and deepen the Baghdad-Washington economic partnership. At the end of the meeting, community representatives and business figures said they were ready to enter the Iraqi market and form strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors.