Al-Zaidi officially launches the sovereignty phase and confirms Iraq is free of armed opposition

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi announced the launch of the sovereignty phase protected by the state and guaranteed by the law, confirming the termination of the presence of any armed foreign opposition on Iraqi territory. The Media Office of the Prime Minister stated in a press release that Al-Zaidi sponsored the Sovereignty Day conference, in the presence of Parliament Speaker Haibat Al-Halbousi, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, a number of officials, political leaders, heads of diplomatic missions, and various social figures. Al-Zaidi emphasized in a speech delivered on the occasion that this day crowns the efforts of Iraqis with an achievement befitting Iraq and its sovereignty, harvesting the fruits of patience and diligent work, indicating that the country has passed one of the biggest battles in its modern history and completed the pillars of its sovereignty over its land, sky, and territorial waters. He added that Iraq is a state where the foundations of political, economic, and security sovereignty are entrenched, where the rule of law prevails throughout its land, and its wealth remains in the hands of Iraqis according to the constitution, pointing out that sovereignty represents the people's decision and insistence on the existence and prestige of the state. He explained that twenty years ago, Iraqis chose their permanent constitution during a stage witnessing challenges and terrorism allied with the remnants of dictatorship, and Iraqis succeeded in all difficult tests, leading to the current moment where the people renew their decision to protect the state and its system. He pointed out that the government faced the scourge of corruption, and its efforts in this framework supported sovereignty and prevented unauthorized hands from violating public funds, noting that the government realized the importance of sovereignty and decided in its program to adhere to it and enhance its national foundations. He noted that the supreme religious authority was not far from this national decision when it indicated in every occasion to work for a better future, rule of law, and controlling weapons by the state. He pointed out that the sovereignty regained by Iraq is embodied in a number of national truths that have been completed, including the withdrawal of foreign forces and the end of the international coalition mission entirely, the agreement to withdraw Turkish forces and elements of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, unifying the Peshmerga forces, ending the presence of any armed foreign opposition on Iraqi territory, and not allowing Iraq to be used as a launchpad to attack neighboring countries. He added that the state is working on controlling the weapons file according to the constitution and the agreed timetable to address the status of factions and integrate them within state institutions, alongside starting to build an integrated national air defense system. He renewed his appreciation for the positions of the factions that announced their commitment to addressing the issue of weapons according to the constitution and the timetable set by the government, noting that the economy must be capable of facing global variables and interacting with the international economy. He confirmed the continuation of diversifying the economy, expanding partnerships, investing youth energies, and relying on national wealth, foremost of which is oil, while saluting the armed forces in all their branches and formations as an honorable symbol of Iraq's sovereignty.