Al-Zaidi: September 30 is the deadline for coalition forces' withdrawal from Iraq - Sarmad
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Obaidi confirmed on Saturday that September 30 is the final deadline for the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.
A statement from Al-Obaidi’s office noted that the Prime Minister discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and France, as well as ways to develop and enhance joint cooperation in various fields, during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The call addressed a number of files and issues of mutual interest, foremost among them economic and investment cooperation in Iraq and the opportunities available to French companies, alongside developments in the region and joint efforts aimed at reducing tensions and enhancing security and stability.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Iraqi-French relations, calling on President Macron to visit Iraq and work together to build a sustainable economic and investment partnership between the two countries, in a manner that serves their shared interests.
He affirmed the government’s continued commitment to strengthening stability and transforming Iraq into an influential economic and political force in the region, leveraging its resources and its strategic location that connects international trade routes.
The Iraqi Prime Minister emphasized Iraq’s commitment to building balanced relations with neighboring countries, preventing the use of Iraqi territory to threaten its security, and safeguarding Iraq’s security, sovereignty, and the interests of its people, while stressing the importance of relying on dialogue in regional and international issues.
Al-Obaidi reiterated that September 30 marks the final deadline for the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq, noting that the end of the coalition’s mission will open broader scope for Iraq to focus its efforts on reconstruction, development, enhancing economic growth, and achieving prosperity for the Iraqi people.
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his appreciation for the steps taken by the Iraqi government, reaffirming France’s support for Iraq’s efforts to combat corruption and implement economic reforms, as well as its continued support for Iraq in counter-terrorism and in strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces.
