Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday ordered the withdrawal of all government lawsuits against journalists and media outlets, marking a departure from his predecessor Nouri al-Maliki, who was widely accused of using state institutions to target his political enemies.
The move reflects al-Abadi's "keenness to ensure freedom of expression...and his desire that the media have a big role in building the country," a government statement said, without providing details on ongoing cases. It went on to urge all media organizations to practice "responsible" journalism.
The Head of the Iraqi Journalists' Union, Mouyyad al-Lami, hailed the decree, saying it would help create a "safe environment for journalism in Iraq."
Al-Abadi, who assumed office in September, has promised reforms following the eight-year rule of al-Maliki, who was widely seen as monopolizing power. Al-Abadi recently retired a number of military officers and has moved to root out corruption in the security forces following their collapse in the face of the Islamic State group's summer onslaught. The Sunni extremist group captured much of northern and western Iraq after routing security forces loyal to al-Maliki's Shiite-led government.
Under al-Maliki, several journalists who had been critical of the government faced arrest warrants and lawsuits. Al-Maliki, whose rule alienated the Sunni and Kurdish minorities, has been widely blamed for the current crisis.
At least 14 people were killed and dozens wounded in separate attacks. In the northeastern suburb of Husseiniyah, a car bomb went off near shops and restaurants, killing seven people and wounding 18, police said.
Another bomb went off near a market in Youssifiyah, just south of Baghdad, killing four people and wounding 11, a police officer said. A bombing near car repair shops in the northern Baghdad suburbs killed three people and wounded 10, another officer said.
Two medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.
Al-Abadi met with his Jordanian counterpart Abdullah Ensour on Thursday to discuss "combatting terrorism" among other issues, a government statement said.
___
Associated Press writer Sameer N. Yacoub contributed to this report.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
