Iraqi court halts Hoshyar Zebari’s bid for president

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court on Sunday temporarily suspended Kurdish politician Hoshyar Zebari’s bid for presidency.

The court said it received complaints from four lawmakers about the candidacy of Zebari, a candidate of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, for presidency.

It said his candidacy was temporarily halted until the court considers the case.

The court, however, did not give a date for making a ruling in the case.

Opponents of Zebari, a former foreign minister, cite corruption charges against the Kurdish politician for opposing his candidacy.

The court decision came on the eve of a parliamentary session on Monday to elect a new president from among 25 candidates.

The current president, Barham Salih, of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and Zebari are the two frontrunners for the post.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar