Shafaq News..Al-Maliki: Threat rhetoric between state and factions has ended

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Nouri Al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition,
outlined on Wednesday the approach currently being pursued to bring weapons
under the control of the Iraqi state, describing the process as “regulating and
containing” weapons rather than “disarming” armed factions.

Speaking to Al Sharqiya TV, Al-Maliki said the rhetoric of
threats and confrontation surrounding the issue had subsided as political
actors recognized that threats and attacks would not produce results.

“Neither is the government weak enough to be attacked, nor
is it in the factions’ interest to be attacked.”

Read more:Tension meets dialogue as Iraq approaches September 30

Al-Maliki noted that the shift had created an opportunity
for dialogue “among those concerned with national affairs and internal
stability, to reach an arrangement that could resolve the issue without
triggering a confrontation.”

On the mechanism currently under discussion, he noted that a
distinction was being considered between heavy, medium and light weapons. Al-Maliki
also raised the question of whether the process would apply to all weapons or
only certain categories considered capable of being used against targets inside
or outside Iraq. “These issues will be resolved by the committee formed with
the factions.”

On August 26, Al-Maliki called for the issue of placing
weapons under state control to be addressed without escalation or
confrontation, warning that a conflict between the state and armed factions
over the matter could have serious consequences for Iraq’s stability and lead
to divergent political positions.

Read more: Iraq’s disarmament deadline pits Baghdad against Iran-aligned factions