Iraq PM Mustafa al-Kadhimion 2 September told Kurdish media outlet NRT that his government will continue sending ID200bn ($138mn) monthly payments to the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) even after October’s elections. The process of forming a new government will likely take a considerable amount of time, leaving Mr Kadhimi in charge of a caretaker administration.

Baghdad in early August said it had sent a second payment (MEES, 6 August) following an initial payment a month earlier. Reports from the KRG have been contradictory as to whether this payment has been received. (CONTINUED - 180 WORDS)