Iraq’s chief justice tells US envoy that weapons plan sits with Coordination Framework

BAGHDAD — The head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council told the new U.S. chargé d’affaires that the programme to bring weapons under state control will be carried out under a plan adopted by the Coordination Framework, the Shia political alliance, rather than by the government.

Faiq Zaidan discussed “judicial measures in support of government measures to implement the program of restricting weapons to the state” with Steven Fagin, the council said, adding that it will proceed under “a studied plan adopted by the Coordination Framework through a committee formed by it,” which is preparing the plan and will announce it “at the appropriate time.” The measures are meant to ensure Iraq’s commitment to positive relations with the international community and compliance with the constitution and the law, the council said.

It is the second meeting between Fagin and a senior Iraqi figure in two days. He saw Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Sunday to discuss relations and regional developments.

Zaidi told President Donald Trump at the White House on July 14 that Iraq intended to bring weapons under state control once the coalition mission ends, saying there would be no justification for factions after Sept. 30. His security adviser Qasim al-Araji has since said the date marks the start of talks rather than a deadline, and Nouri al-Maliki said last week that a committee of himself, Hadi al-Amiri and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had been formed with the factions to discuss regulating and containing weapons, with disarmament dropped as a term.

Harakat al-Nujaba, Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada continue to refuse while foreign forces remain; Saraya al-Salam, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Imam Ali Battalions have moved toward compliance. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada leader Abu Alaa al-Walaei said this week that regulating weapons must come in exchange for full Iraqi sovereignty.