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Shafaq News- Baghdad<\/p>\n
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi
\nreaffirmed on Wednesday that Iraq will be free of foreign military forces from
\nOctober 1, during a meeting with US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper,
\nwith September 30 set as the final deadline for the Global Coalition to end its
\nmilitary mission and complete the departure of its forces.<\/p>\n
Al-Zaidi described the post-withdrawal
\nphase as \u201ca new day in the path of the Iraqi state,\u201d when the country would
\nexercise full sovereignty over its territory and continue building its security
\nand military capabilities to safeguard its stability on its own.<\/p>\n
The premier also stressed that
\nweapons must be confined exclusively to state authority in accordance with the
\nlaw, arguing that the measure would \u201cprotect everyone\u201d and provide a foundation
\nfor development and prosperity. <\/p>\n
September 30 also marks Baghdad\u2019s
\ndeadline for bringing weapons under exclusive state control. The State
\nAdministration Coalition (SAC), representing Iraq\u2019s main Shiite, Sunni, and
\nKurdish political forces, had warned that armed activity outside state
\ninstitutions after that date \u201cwill be treated as unlawful.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the meeting, both sides
\naffirmed their \u201cfull and final agreement\u201d on ending the Coalition\u2019s military
\nmission under arrangements reached during Al-Zaidi\u2019s visit to Washington in
\nmid-July. Iraqi-US relations are set to \u201ctransition toward cooperation and
\npartnership in the economic, development, and security fields, based on mutual
\nrespect for sovereignty and the mutual interests of both countries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read more: Iraqi Army after US-led Coalition withdrawal<\/a><\/p>\n