Iraq's anti-corruption chief meets with Barzani on federal-Kurdistan cooperation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The head of Iraq's Federal Integrity Commission, Mohammed Ali al-Lami, met on Wednesday with Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani, according to a commission statement. The two discussed cooperation between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region on anti-corruption efforts and the protection of public assets, as well as support for oversight bodies pursuing legal violations. Barzani stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil in the interests of all Iraqis, supporting both anti-corruption work and the development process. Al-Lami said Iraq's diverse social components and geography are a national asset and that preserving social cohesion must go hand in hand with defending public property and holding violators accountable. Al-Lami told Barzani that a clear division of anti-corruption roles between Baghdad and Erbil sends a strong assurance message to investors and demonstrates adherence to the rule of law. He added that close coordination between oversight bodies at the federal and regional levels would block attempts by wrongdoers to exploit administrative arrangements or geography to evade responsibility. The commission chief also said anti-corruption work is not limited to detection and prosecution but is a national culture that protects honest civil servants and strengthens state institutions. No further details on specific agreements or timelines were provided in the statement.