Baghdad: Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Tuesday that the Coordination Framework has established a committee tasked with restricting weapons to state control. This committee, formed in coordination with the government, plans to initiate its operations shortly to develop mechanisms for this purpose.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Maliki’s media office released a statement following his meeting with Joshua Harris, the Charg© d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Iraq. The meeting, held at al-Maliki’s office, focused on the future of Iraq-US relations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties across various sectors under the Strategic Framework Agreement. Discussions also included the Iraqi government’s efforts to confine weapons exclusively to state authority.

Al-Maliki underscored the necessity of addressing the weapons issue through dialogue and mutual understanding, advocating for a unified national stance that ensures Iraq’s security and stability. He emphasized that the state and its constitutional institutions are the sole authorities responsible for managing security and military affairs.

In response, the US Embassy’s Charg© d’Affaires commended al-Maliki’s political influence and his contributions to fostering stability and enhancing political dialogues. He expressed appreciation for al-Maliki’s support of the government’s initiatives addressing national challenges and strengthening state institutions. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation between Iraq and the United States to advance the interests of Iraq and its citizens.