Iraqi PM orders investigation into the disappearance of $10bn from Central Bank

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi has ordered an urgent and immediate investigation into the disappearance of $10 billion from the Central Bank of Iraq’s reserves.

On Monday, Iraq’s official Al-Sabah newspaper quoted an Iraqi government source as saying: “The prime minister instructed the Acting Governor of CBI Ali Al-Alaq to open an immediate investigation into the disappearance of $10 billion from the CBI’s reserves of $67 billion without giving reasons at a time when the Iraqi financial market and dollar exchange rates are witnessing stability.”

Al-Abadi met Al-Alaq on Sunday to discuss Iraq’s budget for 2016 and actions to stop corruption and the mafias benefiting from the CBI’s auction off of currency.

The statement said the two also discussed supporting the Iraqi economy and raising its standards.