Iraq’s top court bars Zebari’s bid for presidency

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq's top court on Sunday barred Kurdish politician Hoshyar Zebari from seeking the presidency.

In a statement, the Supreme Federal Court said Zebari, a former foreign minister, was not eligible to run for president.

The court verdict is final and cannot be appealed.

Last week, the court temporarily suspended Zebari’s presidential bid following a complaint by four Iraqi lawmakers over corruption charges.

The complaint against Zebari of financial and administrative corruption goes back to 2016, when he was finance minister. Zebari denied the accusations.

Zebari was a strong candidate for the ceremonial post, and his dismissal will favor frontrunner and current President Barham Saleh, who is also a Kurd.

Under an arrangement since 2006, a Kurd is elected for Iraq’s presidency, while a Sunni heads parliament, and a Shia takes the prime minister position.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar