Iraq's PM says weapons monopoly will be cemented at year-end sovereignty conference

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Monday reiterated his government's commitment to ending the proliferation of weapons outside state control and combating corruption, saying there is no turning back from the anti-corruption drive. In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Sudani stated that the period of corruption is being brought to a close and that there is no longer any place for those who enter public service to steal. Sudani said a National Sovereignty Conference scheduled for the end of the year will consolidate the monopoly on the use of force within the state and its security institutions, with no armed group outside state structures permitted. He confirmed he has instructed the Finance Minister to open a special account for the return of funds obtained through corruption, adding that those who return the money will be offered legal settlements, while those who refuse will face a different government response. On foreign policy, the prime minister said national interests will take precedence, with strong ties to neighboring and Gulf countries to be cultivated. His remarks came as corruption operations continued, with political officials, lawmakers and businesspeople detained. Sudani described the arrests as the first phase of broader steps aimed at recovering public funds.