The Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani, said that his governorate is proceeding on a “regulatory and developmental” path in parallel with the political challenges that the country is witnessing, stressing that Basra welcomes everyone “in accordance with the law” and that it was able to control the file of violations during the last period.

In a press statement, Al-Eidani pointed out that Basra includes about five million people, and is going through a stage that he described as “difficult labor,” pointing out its urban and service superiority over a number of governorates. He added that the governorate completed the construction of 450 schools and more than four hospitals, and contributed to the rehabilitation of Basra International Airport, in addition to achieving sufficiency in the electricity sector and supplying other governorates with energy.

He stated that Basra seeks to address the water crisis radically during the next two years, stressing that the preparations and infrastructure that were completed previously, including hosting the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup, reflected the governorate’s ability to manage complex service and security files.

Politically, Al-Eidani revealed the details of his recent meeting with the leader of the State of Law coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, explaining that the latter does not appear to be seeking to assume the prime ministership, and that his decision is linked to the position of the coordination framework, considering that what was raised about his personal candidacy for the position is “unfounded.”

He also criticized the tripartite budget approved by the current government, considering that it harmed the country more than it served it, at a time when the stage requires more flexible economic solutions to confront the current regional conditions.