Iraqi premier rejects proposal to keep some international coalition forces beyond Sept. 30

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has rejected a proposal to keep some international coalition forces in Iraq beyond Sept. 30, government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said Monday, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a press conference cited by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Aboudi said the government is continuing procedures and commitments to restrict weapons, regulate their use and unify decision-making. He said talks with factions are “proceeding regularly,” adding that the process will be completed before Sept. 30. “State decisions are built on the basis of national interests,” Al-Aboudi said, describing the talks as positive and adding that the next stage would be based on cooperation and mutual interests. He said Al-Zaidi rejected a proposal for some coalition forces to remain after Sept. […]