Iraq's acting higher education minister says staff salary file to be resolved within days

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Acting Minister of Higher Education Abdulhussein al-Musawi said he is personally overseeing the delayed payment of salaries for ministry staff and is coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant bodies to resolve the issue. A ministry statement said al-Musawi has held intensive and ongoing discussions with finance officials and the concerned departments to complete the technical and financial procedures needed to release the salaries. The ministry said the entitlements of academic, administrative and technical personnel at universities and affiliated institutions rank among its priorities. It added that the process is being finalized and that the salaries are expected to be released within the next few days. According to the statement, the ministry's objective is to preserve stability in the academic and university environment. It also pointed to the national role played by higher education personnel across the country. No further details on the specific delays or the number of staff affected were immediately available.