Maliki: Threat language between state and factions has ended

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, said the language of threats and provocation between the state and armed factions has ended as Iraq moves to bring weapons under state control. In remarks to Al-Sharqiya television, al-Maliki said the government is not weak and that attacks on factions serve no one's interest. Al-Maliki said officials have adopted the phrase "regulation and control" rather than "disarming" the factions, and that a distinction will be drawn between heavy, medium and light weapons. He added that the matter will be reviewed by a committee established with the factions. The State of Law leader had previously warned that turning the weapons file into a confrontation between the state and the factions would threaten Iraq's stability. Separately, several factions — including the Najab Movement, Hezbollah Brigades and Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades — announced they would refuse to hand over their weapons by September 30. The State Administration Coalition has said that after that date, any non-state armed activity would be treated under Iraq's counterterrorism law. No further details were immediately available on the committee's timetable or composition.