Al-Zaidi: Iraq Enters A New Era With The End Of The Mission Of The Int'l Coalition Forces

Baghdad / NINA /-Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi said Iraq is entering a new era with the conclusion of the mission of the international coalition forces fighting ISIS.

In a speech marking Sovereignty Day, Al-Zaidi said Iraq is opening a new chapter in which it will move "from an arena of conflicts to a nation that fully controls its own decisions and protects its territory and sovereignty."

He said Iraqis had "paid a heavy price through years of patience," noting that the proliferation of weapons in the country had turned Iraq into "an arena for others rather than a safe homeland for its people."

Al-Zaidi said Iraq would honor the contributions of its martyrs and wounded, and pay tribute to the heroes of the army, police, Counter-Terrorism Service, Popular Mobilization Forces, Peshmerga and all Iraqi armed forces and security agencies.

The commander-in-chief expressed his thanks and gratitude to the senior religious authority in Najaf for its decisive stance in defending Iraq and its people. He also highly commended the position of national forces whose armed formations came under the command of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Addressing those who fought for the country, Al-Zaidi said: "Be at the heart of the state, not outside it. The place for your weapons and your men is within the state and its institutions. Let your experience and sacrifices be an added strength serving Iraq under one national doctrine, one flag, and one unified military and security decision."

He stressed that "the state does not exclude its own people, but rather organizes their capabilities within the framework of the law and Constitution," adding that "this is the equation of sovereignty: one weapon in the hands of the state, Iraqi territory free of foreign forces, and a national decision that represents everyone."

Addressing Iraqis, Al-Zaidi said loyalty to sovereignty requires everyone to protect Iraq's resources and safeguard public funds. He stressed that the government would continue to confront challenges and develop the state's resources.

"We pledge to you that we will uphold the trust and devote our efforts to serving this noble country," he said.

Al-Zaidi also pledged not to receive a salary or allowances from the state, saying: "We are working to strengthen the foundations of a state in which public office is a responsibility, not a gain."

The commander-in-chief concluded his speech by saying: "Long live Iraq, sovereign and united. Long live the will of its great people, and glory and honor to Iraq's martyrs."/End