Baghdad: Head of the Security Media Cell (SMC), Lieutenant General Saad Maan, affirmed on Thursday that hate speech would not be allowed to return and that strict measures would be taken against those involved, while noting that the government is making steady progress on the issue of regulating weapons.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Maan said during a press conference held at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) correspondent that ‘an agreement has been reached to hold a weekly media conference at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, attended by representatives of all security formations, with the aim of centrally presenting the overall security situation, alongside press statements and interviews.’

Maan stressed that ‘we will not allow hate speech to return, and will take strict measures against those involved in inciting or disseminating it.’ He added that ‘the conference will also address various security issues,’ noting that ‘there has been an increase in rumors and attempts to fuel sectarian rhetoric.’

He explained that ‘security agencies continue their monitoring operations,’ stressing that ‘legal measures will be taken against anyone attempting to incite tensions or promote hate speech.’ He further noted that ‘the government is making steady progress on the issue of regulating weapons.’