Iraq says no foreign military presence by 1 Oct and weapons will be under state control

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi said that the country will be free of any foreign military presence on its soil and that weapons will be solely under state control by 1 October. During a meeting with US Central Command Commander Charles Brad Cooper, Zaidi “affirmed the commitment to the agreed-upon timelines”, under which the international coalition’s military mission in Iraq and the withdrawal of its forces will be completed by 30 September, according to a statement published by his office. 1 October will therefore “mark a new day in the history of the Iraqi state”, as the country will be “free of any foreign military presence” and responsible for ensuring its own security and stability, the statement continued. Zaidi added that weapons will henceforth be held only by state institutions, which will strengthen “the state’s authority and sovereignty, and guarantee security and stability”.