Iraqi parliament to summon Finance Minister over financial crisis

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's parliament will invite Finance Minister Falih al-Sari to appear before the general assembly in the coming days to present details of the country's financial crisis and proposed solutions, First Deputy Speaker Adnan Fayhan said. Fayhan said he had requested the minister's attendance, adding that a date would be set shortly and that the invitation would be placed on the agenda of an upcoming session. Al-Sari has previously warned that Iraq faces a genuine fiscal shortfall that has delayed salary payments for civil servants, pensioners and social welfare beneficiaries. He said monthly salary obligations have reached approximately 7.8 trillion Iraqi dinars. Government spokesperson Haydar al-Abadi said the government needs about 10.8 trillion dinars each month to cover salaries and general spending, while oil revenues remain at roughly 2.5 trillion dinars. Prime Minister Ali Fallah al-Zaydi said monthly salaries for civil servants and pensioners, along with all government payments, have been secured.