Cabinet Approves Sovereignty Holiday, Key Decisions

The Cabinet approved a four-day official holiday for state institutions, commemorating Iraq's "Sovereignty Days." The break begins Wednesday, September 30, and concludes Saturday, October 3, with official duties resuming Sunday, October 4. This decision stemmed from the Cabinet's ordinary session on Saturday, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidy. The session addressed national developments, key files, and agenda items, culminating in necessary resolutions. Al-Zaidy had previously led the Council's twentieth session last Saturday evening. Among its resolutions, the Council voted to grant the Ministry of Education a one-time exemption from contracting methods detailed in Article (6) of Public Contracts Instructions (No. 1 of 2025). This aims to prepare for general and school examinations. The Cabinet also approved opening nominations for the President and Vice President of the Federal Civil Service Council (second term). Announcements will run across all media from October 15, 2026, and on a committee-designated website. Applications will be accepted for a maximum of one working month from the announcement date, per the amended Federal Civil Service Council Law (No. 4 of 2009). A committee will be formed to receive these nominations, as per paragraph (2) of Cabinet Resolution (No. 24160 of 2024). Additionally, the Council authorized Baghdad's Mayor, or appointee, to negotiate and sign with the World Bank for a grant to develop the Integrated Services and Sanitary Rivers project. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked with preparing the necessary authorization for the Prime Minister's signature. Occupants of premises at property number (4 Sari Kahya / Gold Market / Kirkuk Governorate) were exempted from public advertisement and auction procedures. New lease contracts will be drawn up, maintaining current conditions, based on the amended State Property Sale and Lease Law (No. 21 of 2013). The Cabinet sanctioned an amendment to paragraph (Fifth) of Resolution (No. 23150 of 2023), concerning the Border Ports Authority's uncompensated acquisition of land for border crossings. This also included transferring ownership of a Nineveh plot from the Interior Ministry to the Authority without compensation, facilitating the rehabilitation and development of specified border crossings, aligned with project listing requirements. To advance the health sector, the Council increased the reserve for the "Rehabilitation of Ibn Sina Hospital / Baghdad" project while simultaneously reducing its total cost. Furthermore, the Cabinet mandated the Ministerial Economic Council to amend judicial fees per the recommendation of Diwani Order Committee (No. 87 of 2025). This included modifying Cabinet Resolution (No. 230145 Q) of 2023 by inserting "not exceeding" before each fine amount and adjusting penalty figures.