Iraq reconstruction ministry denies lawmaker's terror-link allegation against senior official

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities has rejected a lawmaker's claim that one of its senior officials has ties to terrorist organizations, calling the allegation baseless. In a written statement, the ministry said the official in question was appointed after completing all required administrative and legal procedures. The ministry said a document cited by the lawmaker had previously been submitted to security agencies, and that all relevant institutions confirmed the official has no links to any terrorist group. It added that legal rights are being preserved over what it described as attacks on the staff member's reputation. The statement also said the ministry's projects are subject to technical and financial oversight under principles of transparency, carried out jointly by Prime Ministry technical commissions, the Ministry of Planning and the ministry's own Central Contracts Committee. No further details were immediately available on the lawmaker who raised the allegation.