Kalibaf's Baghdad Visit Fails to Shift Iraq's Deadline for Armed Groups

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Kalibaf did not secure a softer Iraqi position on integrating arms into the state during talks in Baghdad, political sources said. The sources, speaking to Asharq al-Awsat, said Kalibaf met with several Iraqi leaders as the deadline for handing weapons over to the state approached. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has remained committed to the timetable and has privately told officials that he will not extend the September 30 deadline, the sources said. They added that armed groups have begun presenting new conditions after the deadline expires. Some parties within the Coordination Framework are seeking to link the transfer of arms to the state with anti-corruption files, which the sources said could create room for political bargaining between the two issues. An unnamed Iraqi politician said Sudani could become more acceptable to the public if his anti-corruption campaign achieves results in the political and administrative sectors. The same source said some political forces may raise options including extending or freezing the arms-transfer period or moving weapons outside the country.