Al-Zaidi emphasizes making sovereignty path for reform and protecting supreme national interest in Iraq

Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi affirmed that Iraq will transition, through the unity of its people, from confronting crises to building the future, and that the greatest need is to maintain our unity in a homeland that accommodates everyone, indicating that his government will continue fighting corruption, protecting public funds, and enhancing preventive oversight, while adding that the state has completed its sovereignty with the end of the military mission of the international coalition, and today it is a state that owns its decision, protects its land and sky, and arms are subject to the Commander-in-Chief. The full text of the Prime Minister's speech is as follows: In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful O sons of our esteemed Iraqi people Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you I greet you, women and men, on the National Day of the Republic of Iraq. On the third of October every year, we commemorate the independence of our great country for more than ninety years and its recognition as an independent state, making it the first Arab state to join the League of Nations and participate in founding the United Nations. The story of Iraq is older than this history, and it documented the birth of human civilization; on its land, writing and laws were born, and civilization played its first melodies. Iraq is a homeland that dwells within us, the memory of ancestors and dreams of children, the Tigris, Euphrates, palm tree, poem, countryside, and city. O sons of Mesopotamia.. Since its independence, Iraq has gone through complex stages that lost it many development opportunities due to political instability and repeated returns to starting points from scratch. After 2003, Iraqis underwent the democratic state experience, made decisive sacrifices to protect it, and approved a permanent constitution enshrining the peaceful transfer of power. On September 30, 2026, the Iraqi state completed its sovereignty with the end of the military mission of the international coalition, and here we are today a state that owns its decision, protects its land and sky, and arms are subject to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Despite difficult challenges, Iraq proceeds with a balanced foreign policy that considers the supreme national interest and builds its relations on the basis of interests and mutual respect. O proud Iraqis.. Economic and developmental challenges, as well as regional and international conditions, are becoming increasingly intertwined, and we are working to confront them through a more diverse economy, developing influential partnerships with the world's countries, and empowering the private sector to be a partner in development and job creation. In a pioneering step, we are moving toward program and performance budgeting so that government spending is linked to results. We are also proceeding with the initiative of one million residential land plots, establishing the Generations Fund to guarantee our children's future, creating economic cities, and implementing the Development Road so that Iraq becomes a trade route, an energy corridor, an investment center, and a bridge between East and West. We will continue to combat corruption, protect public funds, and enhance preventive oversight. O our great people.. I assumed responsibility in highly complex circumstances, and we faced successive challenges that required us to protect Iraq's interests, security, sovereignty, and national decision from the repercussions of the conflict in the region. Iraq, through the unity of its sons and their national and social harmony, will transition from confronting crises to building the future, and the greatest need we have today is to preserve our unity in a homeland that embraces everyone. On Iraq's National Day, we affirm that our responsibility is to make sovereignty a path to reform, and on this great occasion, we pledge to you, O Iraqis, that Iraq's interest will remain above all considerations, the citizen the focus of attention, and the strong, just state our goal. Every year, Iraq stands proud through its people and cherished by its sovereignty and unity. Mercy and eternity to our righteous martyrs, and peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.