Iraq's PM Tells UN State Must Hold Sole Authority Over War and Weapons

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi told the UN General Assembly that the state alone should decide war and peace and that weapons must be controlled by constitutional institutions. He said the end of the international coalition's mission would shift Iraq's ties with partners toward economic and development cooperation. His remarks came as the US pressed Baghdad to disarm militias and prevent competing power centers from fragmenting the country.

Al-Zaidi told the UN that Baghdad’s priorities include keeping decisions on conflict and armaments within constitutional bodies. He described current steps as progressing and tied them to stronger institutions, sovereignty, and stability. He also said the coalition’s mission ending would move partnerships from military matters toward economic and development ties, while Iraq keeps building its security forces.

He urged firmer frontier management, fewer vulnerabilities, and sustained caution about extremism. He backed negotiation, sovereignty, noninterference, and peaceful dispute resolution, and promoted the Development Road as a trade, investment, and energy route from Grand Faw Port through Türkiye to Europe. Washington has urged militia disarmament; al-Zaidi proposed a 90-day halt in attacks and weapons transfer by June 30, 2027.