Baghdad source says Zeydi proposed US projects in exchange for arms handover

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A political source in Baghdad said Prime Minister Ali Zeydi has put forward a proposal to the U.S. side linking the collection of weapons by the state and the surrender of arms by groups to service and investment projects to be carried out in Iraq by American companies. The source said the idea is meant to move the weapons file out of a purely security frame and into a broader political and economic settlement. It said Zeydi believes the disarmament plan could be implemented in stages if the projects create jobs for young people and draw some members of the groups into the labor force. The development came after the Coordination Framework gave Zeydi authority to take decisions that would protect the country's higher interests, according to the source. It added that support also comes from the position calling for weapons to be kept in state hands and for the Popular Mobilization Forces to be separated from political, party and social structures. The source said Kataib Hezbollah, in particular, opposes handing over its weapons and favors buying them rather than taking them by force or through surrender.