Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday told visiting Commander of U.S. Central Command Brad Cooper that Sept. 30 remains the firm deadline for ending the U.S.-led coalition's military mission in Iraq and completing its troop withdrawal.
In a meeting in Baghdad, both sides affirmed their full and final agreement to conclude the coalition's military mission in accordance with the consensus reached during al-Zaidi's visit to Washington in mid-July, according to a statement by al-Zaidi's media office.
Al-Zaidi said that Oct. 1 will mark a new era for Iraq, as the country becomes free of foreign military presence and exercises full national sovereignty over its territory, the statement said.
He also said that confining arms exclusively to state authority in accordance with the law remains an essential prerequisite for safeguarding Iraq's sovereignty, stability, and future development.
In 2014, the Islamic State group seized vast territories across the Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the extremist group was subsequently formed and deployed forces to Iraq.
Al Jazeera, citing an Iraqi source, reported Wednesday that the commander of the Quds Force in Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, Esmail Qaani, made an unannounced visit to Baghdad earlier this week and held behind-the-scenes meetings with political and security leaders, as well as commanders of Shia paramilitaries to discuss the Iraqi government's plan to disarm the armed groups.
Iraqi PM says Sept. 30 deadline for complete withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition
