Iraqi Prime Minister Directs Parliament to Draft Law on State Monopoly of Weapons

Baghdad, August 11 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Idi directed the Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee on Tuesday to draft legislation to centralize weapons under state control, in accordance with constitutional provisions. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office media bureau quoted al-Idi as saying during a meeting with the head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee and its members that “the greatest threat to the state is uncontrolled weapons, as they undermine the rule of law and weaken the authority of security institutions.” He stressed the importance of strengthening the state’s sovereignty, prestige, and constitutional institutions, and enhancing the capabilities of the military establishment to ensure internal stability linked to economic, political, and security stability, thereby safeguarding Iraq’s security and integrity. Al-Idi emphasized the need for coordination and integration between the executive and legislative branches to enhance stability, enact laws, and provide a legislative framework for the government’s developmental plans and programs, noting the importance of holding regular meetings with the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee to advance these files. The Iraqi government had previously announced that it would not allow weapons to remain outside state authority after September 30, the deadline for the withdrawal of international coalition forces. (End) A.H.H. / H.M.F.