Al-Zaydi announces the completion of the pillars of Iraqi sovereignty and identifies 6 pillars for the new phase
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi sponsored the “Sovereignty Day” conference on Thursday evening, in the presence of Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi, President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, a number of officials and leaders of national political forces, and heads of diplomatic missions represented in Iraq. Dailynews reports
Al-Zaydi said in a speech he delivered on the occasion, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that this day crowns the efforts of Iraqis with an achievement befitting Iraq and its sovereignty, and reaps the fruits of patience and hard work.
He added that “Iraq is a country in which the foundations of political, economic and security sovereignty are established, and the rule of law is applied throughout its territory, and its wealth is in the hands of Iraqis in accordance with the constitution,” explaining that “sovereignty represents the people’s decision and their insistence on the existence and prestige of the state, and it is the basic meaning of the comprehensive national identity.”
Al-Zaydi continued, saying: “Twenty years ago, the Iraqis chose their permanent constitution in a phase that witnessed challenges and terrorism allied with the remnants of dictatorship and the forces of destruction,” explaining that “the Iraqis succeeded in all the difficult tests, reaching the present moment in which our people renew their decision to protect the state and its system, and close the way to those who take the public interest as an outlet for their own private interests.”
He added that “the government has confronted the scourge of corruption, and its efforts in this regard have supported sovereignty and prevented sinful hands from violating public funds,” noting that “the government has realized the importance of sovereignty upon which the future of our people is based, and we decided in our government program to adhere to it and strengthen its national principles.”
He added: “The supreme religious authority was not far from this national decision when it indicated on every occasion to work towards achieving a better future, enforcing the rule of law, and controlling weapons in the hands of the state. Let us start from the days of sovereignty, and make its meanings a national awareness that is translated into reality, and let us draw for Iraq a path that responds to the needs of this generation and guarantees the rights of future generations.”
According to Al-Zaydi, the sovereignty that Iraq has regained today is embodied in the withdrawal of foreign forces and the complete termination of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, the agreement on the withdrawal of Turkish forces and elements of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the end of the presence of foreign armed groups on Iraqi soil, as well as the unification of the Peshmerga forces, which strengthens the unity of security and military decision-making.
In addition to ending the presence of any armed foreign opposition on Iraqi soil, and not allowing Iraq to be used as a launching pad for attacks on neighboring countries, according to Al-Zaydi, who stressed the need to control the weapons file in accordance with the constitution and the law, and according to the agreed timetable for addressing the situation of the factions and integrating them into state institutions.
He pointed to the commencement of building an integrated national air defense system, which enhances Iraq’s ability to protect its airspace and sovereignty, announcing the launch of a phase of sovereignty that is protected by the state, guaranteed by law, and in whose building all Iraqis participate.
According to the statement, Al-Zaydi praised the positions of the factions that announced their commitment to addressing the issue of weapons in accordance with the constitution and the timetable set by the government, adding: “We expect the same commitment from the rest in a way that serves the interest of our people and strengthens the authority and prestige of the state.”
He pointed out that sovereignty is manifested in an Iraqi economy capable of confronting global changes, interacting with the international economy, possessing the tools of influence, and presenting to the world a model of successful equal partnerships, stressing the continuation of diversifying the economy, expanding partnerships, and investing the energies of the youth instead of wasting them in economic structures that have exhausted their role.
Shafaq.com