Maliki calls for national conference on bringing weapons under state control

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has called for a broad national conference to address the issue of bringing weapons under state control. Speaking in his capacity as secretary-general of the Islamic Dawa Party and leader of the State of Law Coalition, Maliki said the proposed gathering should bring together all political and social stakeholders in Iraq and establish a mechanism to ensure that weapons remain under the exclusive control of state-authorized bodies. In the same statement, Maliki reaffirmed his support for Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Zaji and said he backed the continuation of the government's current program. The issue of weapons control has long been a point of debate in Baghdad's political circles, given the presence of multiple armed groups operating across the country, and the proposed conference is intended to provide a formal platform for discussions on the matter. Maliki noted that the framework and scope of the conference still need to be finalized in the coming period. No further details on the timing or agenda of the proposed gathering were immediately available.