Iraqi Prime Minister: October 1 will see no foreign military presence and no weapons outside the state's framework

Baghdad, August 12 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zoubi confirmed on Wednesday that his country will be free of any foreign military presence by October 1 of next year, and that no weapons will exist outside the framework of the state. The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office conveyed al-Zoubi’s statement, made during his meeting with the commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Brad Cooper, reaffirming commitment to the agreed timelines stipulating that September 30 of next year will be the fixed and final deadline for ending the international coalition’s military mission in Iraq and completing the withdrawal of its forces.

Al-Zoubi clarified that October 1 will mark a new day in the trajectory of the Iraqi state, as Iraq will be devoid of any foreign military presence, having fully restored its national sovereignty over its territory and continued building its security and military capabilities to enable it to safeguard its own security and stability. He stressed that monopolizing weapons in the hands of the state, in accordance with the law, protects everyone, strengthens state authority and sovereignty, ensures security and stability, and constitutes a fundamental condition for transitioning Iraq to a new stage of development and prosperity.

The statement noted that both sides confirmed full and final agreement on ending the international coalition’s military mission in accordance with what was agreed during al-Zoubi’s visit to Washington in mid-July last year, and affirmed that Iraqi-U.S. relations will shift toward cooperation and partnership in economic, developmental, and security fields. (End)