Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has rejected a proposal to keep some international anti-ISIS coalition forces in Iraq beyond the September 30 deadline for their withdrawal, announced government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi. He also stressed that Baghdad was closely monitoring regional developments but would not become part of the conflict. Speaking at a news conference Monday, al-Aboudi confirmed that the withdrawal of coalition forces and the handover of their positions to Iraqi forces were proceeding as planned. “The government is looking ahead to September 30, which represents an important milestone for the sovereignty of the Iraqi state and people,” he told Iraq's state news agency INA, adding that the date would mark “the complete end of the international coalition mission’s presence on Iraqi territory.” On efforts to bring all weapons under state control, al-Aboudi stressed that the government was moving ahead with measures to regulate arms and unify decision-making, describing the issue as a top priority and a cornerstone of national sovereignty. He noted that the Iraqi Constitution grants the armed forces exclusive authority over arms and prohibits the formation of armed groups outside the official security establishment. Talks with armed factions were progressing positively and within the designated timetable, he added, indicating that the issue would be resolved before September 30. Government decisions were based on national interests, he said. Al-Aboudi announced that al-Zaidi would visit Paris and Berlin in the first half of September at the invitation of European officials, with security among the issues on the agenda. Turning to the economy, the spokesman outlined the government’s strategy to diversify revenue sources and secure essential requirements. Iraqi exports were proceeding normally at more than 2 million barrels per day, he added. The cabinet is expected to vote on the 2027 budget in September. The government is continuing its campaign against corruption, pursuing suspects and seeking to cut off its sources, al-Aboudi underlined. He pointed to the value of recovered funds as evidence of unprecedented progress.
