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Shafaq News- Baghdad<\/p>\n
Disagreements over disarming armed factions and disputes among political blocs over key ministries are delaying the announcement of Iraq\u2019s new government lineup, with political sources warning Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaidi could withdraw from the process altogether.<\/p>\n
One of the main obstacles stems from a committee formed by Al-Zaidi and the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework to oversee efforts to restrict weapons to state control, a political source told Shafaq News, adding that several armed factions continue to reject surrendering their weapons due to uncertainty over \u201cwho would ultimately control the arsenals and how they would be handled.\u201d<\/p>\n
The committee reportedly divided the factions into four categories, including groups formally integrated into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) but still maintaining separate armed identities and command structures, such as Saraya Al-Salam and Saraya Ashura.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther factions that participated alongside Iran in the recent regional war are also resisting proposals to hand over weapons to Iraq\u2019s Counter-Terrorism Service,\u201d the source continued, noting that Al-Zaidi proposed personally supervising the transfer of arms to a state security institution.<\/p>\n
The discussions also include armed wings affiliated with political parties holding representation in government, which would be required to dissolve structures operating outside official military and security institutions. The source indicated that some factions \u201cresponded positively\u201d to integration proposals, while others \u201ccontinue to negotiate conditions tied to disarmament.\u201d<\/p>\n
The issue emerged after the Coordination Framework agreed with Al-Zaidi to form a committee overseeing the process, headed by the prime minister-designate alongside caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Badr Organization leader Hadi Al-Amiri.<\/p>\n
The move came days after Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr proposed merging<\/a> armed factions under a body linked to Iraq\u2019s Hajj and Umrah Authority, while offering to dissolve his own movement\u2019s armed wings if the plan proceeds.<\/p>\n Separate political disputes have further complicated cabinet negotiations, with Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish blocs revising nominee lists and reopening competition over sovereign ministries, particularly oil, finance, and interior.<\/p>\n