President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid has announced that he will not run for a second term, saying his decision is meant to protect unity in Iraq.
In a message to the public, he said he made the choice after careful thinking. He didn’t want his candidacy to add more political tension or divide the country further.
Rashid thanked the Iraqi people and said it had been an honor to serve over the past three years. He highlighted some key achievements, including improving Iraq’s image internationally after years of conflict and isolation, and working to strengthen security so people can live more safely.
He also pointed to efforts like hosting the Arab League Summit and playing a role in regional diplomacy. One moment he said he was especially proud of was helping Halabja gain its full rights as a governorate.
At the same time, he admitted that not all problems were solved. He said three years isn’t enough to fix issues that have built up over decades, but believes the work done so far has laid a strong foundation for the future.
Rashid made it clear that his priority has always been keeping Iraq stable and away from regional conflicts. Even after stepping away from the presidency race, he said he will continue serving the country in other ways.
His final message was simple: Iraq’s unity and stability come first.
