Iraq has lost $150 billion since 2003 due to embezzlement, President Barham Salih said on Sunday.
He called for the formation of an international anti-corruption coalition to help track and return the funds.
"One-hundred-and-fifty billion dollars has been smuggled out of the country – especially from the oil sector – due to corrupt deals," Mr Salih said during a press conference in Baghdad.
Widespread corruption has crippled Iraq’s efforts to recover from decades of wars and sanctions.
The anti-corruption civil society organisation Transparency International ranks Iraq 20th from bottom globally in its Corruption Perceptions Index.
“Corruption is not less dangerous than terrorism, it is the political economy of violence. State institutions must take a serious, decisive and resolute stand to confront this,” Mr Salih said.
“It is corruption that pushed thousands of protesters to leave their homes and to demand a homeland that is free of corruption.”
In late 2019, thousands of mostly young Iraqis took to the streets to vent their anger and frustration at the government’s inability to provide basic public services and employment opportunities.
They called for the removal of a ruling elite that they see as corrupt and for an end to foreign interference in the country's affairs.
Mr Salih said Iraq would be able to track and recover stolen funds more easily if an international anti-corruption coalition was created.
A draft law is being submitted to ensure that practical, proactive and deterrent measures will be taken to recover the stolen money, according to the Iraqi president.
The law includes practical measures to deter corruption, as well as methods to recover stolen funds and provide the necessary tools to Iraq's legal system and relevant institutions to combat the problem, he added.
“The bill seeks to recover corruption funds through agreements with states and co-operation with international bodies,” Mr Salih said.
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 109-3 (10ovs)
Salt 30, Malan 24, Trego 23, Jayasuriya 2-14
Bangla Tigers (9.4ovs)
Fletcher 52, Rossouw 31
Bangla Tigers win by six wickets
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
AIDA%20RETURNS
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