Iraqi National Leaders Assert Improving State Regulation of Weapons in the Country, Protecting of Diplomatic Missions and Responding to the Lawlessness Acts Which Harm the Security and Sovereignty of the Country

At the invitation of the President Salih, Iraqi leadership held a meeting today at the Baghdad Palace to discuss the recent security and political developments in the country as well as the grave ramifications of the current situation.  
In addition to the President, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, the Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbouosi and the Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Fa'iq Zidan also attended the meeting.  
All meeting participants emphasized that the security developments occurred recently such as targeting of civilian lives, military centers and headquarters, and the continuation of assassinations and kidnappings against civilian activists; it seems to be deliberate targeting of Iraq, its sovereignty and of the national project in which the current government was formed to achieve stability and preserve the State's prestige in preparation for holding early elections; and it also undermines Iraq's international reputation and its foreign relations.
Together, they highlighted that continuing of insecurity situations and its consequences on the lives of people would be seriously damage Iraq's economy and its striving to overcome the crisis caused by the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic and falling oil prices and its revenues; it also undermines opportunities for steering the country out of the current crisis.
The attendees underlined that Iraq is in a state of war only against "terrorism"; and Iraqi nation and its military and security forces in all their forms and kinds had come a long way, however, in the defeating terrorism and attaining victory.
All agreed and emphasized that declaration of war is the prerogative of the Iraqi legislative and executive power based on the law and constitution; therefore, no other party is entitled to declare the state of war or to act on the basis of the state of war inside the Iraqi territories.  While rejecting all forms of interventions in any country's affairs, Iraq refuses interference in its internal affairs by any country. It rejects to be turned into an arena for settling scores, or to be a staging post for any hostile action against any of our neighbors. Iraqi national leaders agreed to build a national state having full sovereignty away from any external interference as well as not to be as a vassal state.
All the sides noted that the acts of outlaw groups acting against the country's security are a serious threat to Iraq security and stability. Therefore, the need has emerged to make more concerted efforts at all levels in addition to having an effective presence of the different political powers to face this escalation and support the Iraqi government's efforts to guarantee Iraq's security and sovereignty.
They called upon all to join forces, to take a common, serious stance and decisive action which would prevent more consequences as well as adopting practical actions that can promote stability and security.
The discussion at the meeting also stressed the Iraqi government's efforts to monopolize the arms by the state and to prevent the targeting of diplomatic missions, where the responsibility for protection of its installations and safety and security of its personnel lies with Iraq which is a part of the State's obligation to provide protection.
 The Interlocutors confirmed that Iraq is committed to the outcomes of the strategic dialogue with the United States and to the agreement on redeployment from Iraq within agreed timetables, including long-term cooperation with the United States across all the fields, especially cooperation in training and arming the Iraqi security and military forces and the war against ISIS. They hoped the USA and international community in dealing with recent developments would help Iraq to complete its efforts in reinforcing the authority of the state and providing security for holding elections.
Those in attendance stressed respecting of the important recommendations which come in the statement made by the Supreme Religious Authority, the Grand Ayatollah, Ali Al-Sistani, when he was receiving the UN representative in Iraq, as it is considered a road map that will help defuse the crises as well as leading to early and credible elections.
The Iraqi national leaders also discussed the statements which targeted the Supreme Religious Authority, the Grand Ayatollah, Ali Al-Sistani who is still the security valve of Iraq and its people. They stated that insulting the Supreme Religious Authority is totally rejected and unacceptable. The spiritual authority's position among the Iraqi nation, the Muslims and Humanity is preserved and it is a high status. They wished him good health and wellness.

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