Al-Maliki Affirms Weapon Control by State as a National Sovereignty Decision

Nouri Al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, affirmed that the issue of weapon control by the state represents a national decision that reinforces Iraq’s sovereignty and the independence of its decision-making. He highlighted that completing the country’s sovereignty requires the full withdrawal of foreign forces, noting that the departure of the international coalition forces and Turkish troops from Iraqi territory are significant steps toward consolidating this sovereignty. Al-Maliki emphasized the necessity of adopting realistic and well-studied mechanisms to ensure that weapons are exclusively held by official state institutions, preserving security, stability, and enhancing the state’s prestige and the rule of law. He recalled the heroic role played by security forces, popular mobilization volunteers, and resistance factions in confronting ISIS and defending Iraq, stressing that handling the weapon issue must be done with a national and responsible spirit that respects the great sacrifices made by Iraqi citizens. Regarding governmental affairs, he stressed the urgent need to complete the ministerial cabinet to enable the government to perform its duties amid current challenges, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue among political forces to strengthen stability and support state institutions. He also noted that the Coordination Framework continues to follow up on political, security, and economic files through specialized committees, coordinating with the Prime Minister, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the framework’s unity and preventing any attempts to weaken or dismantle it. Al-Maliki also called for reviewing the performance of the electoral commission and developing the electoral system to enhance the integrity of the electoral process, fairness in competition, and to reinforce the trust of political forces and citizens in the election outcomes.