PM Al Zaidi meets Marco Rubio in New York, pledges state monopoly over arms

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to finalize sovereign transitions and enforce the state’s monopoly over weapons during a high-stakes bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office and reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the discussions took place on Monday, September 21, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Prime Minister Al-Zaidi stressed Baghdad’s commitment to advancing long-term bilateral relations with Washington, framing the relationship around a comprehensive strategic partnership grounded in constructive economic cooperation and shared strategic interests. Addressing core security and governance files, Al-Zaidi reiterated Iraq’s determination to complete all outstanding constitutional and sovereign benchmarks, emphasizing that the disarmament of armed factions and the consolidation of all arms under official state command remain non-negotiable legal mandates being executed in accordance with Iraqi law. For his part, Secretary Rubio expressed the United States’ continued backing for the Iraqi government and people in their efforts to anchor enduring domestic stability, diversify the national economy, and expand global diplomatic and commercial engagement. Rubio underscored Washington’s support for Baghdad’s sovereign decisions aimed at institutional state-building, reinforcing internal security, and establishing an enabling environment for sustainable economic development as critical regional deadlines approach.