BBC Monitoring
Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic is observed to highlight the following political and security developments within its 1700 gmt newscast on 18 July:
Al-Maliki meets Wasit delegation, criticizes media outlets
- "Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Wednesday accused Arab studies centres and media institutions of hatching plots against
The announcer-read report is followed by a video report by Al-Iraqiyah correspondent Qays al-Murshid on Al-Maliki's meeting with a tribal delegation from Wasit Governorate.
Al-Maliki meets Wasit delegation - Al-Iraqiyah TV
In the report, Al-Maliki is shown saying: "We have inherited administrative corruption, bureaucracy, and lack of interest in citizens' needs. We admit this. However, we are continuing our efforts to put an end to such practices. The government and people should cooperate in this regard. The government, sometimes, does not see the corrupt ones in departments. There should be cooperation with citizens, who face negative practices by some state employees who accept bribes, fail to finish citizens' work, and practice other negative activities."
Al-Maliki adds: "We are facing an organized rabid campaign of accusations which is led by media outlets and strategic studies centres in the Arab region and elsewhere. They all level various charges and hatch plots against the Iraqi people, government, and political experience."
The report notes that the tribal chieftains expressed "satisfaction" with the results of the meeting.
Government Spokesman Reacts to Turkish Shelling of Border Areas
- "An official security source in Zakho District announced that the Turkish artillery shelled joint border areas between
Al-Iraqiyah anchor then conducts a live telephone interview with Iraqi Government Spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.
Asked about reports about the Turkish shelling of border villages, Al-Dabbagh says: "The Iraqi Government expresses its regret at the Turkish troops' military operations, artillery shelling, and warplanes' bombing of Iraqi border cities and villages. It calls on the Turkish Government to stop these operations and resort to the language of dialogue and understanding through the trilateral committee and bilateral meetings. The Iraqi Government will send a memorandum, through the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, to the Turkish Government. The Iraqi Government will assert that it aspires to have good neighbourly relations with
Answering another question, Al-Maliki says: "We understand
Source: Al-Iraqiyah TV,