The Al Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the State of Law coalition, opposed the disarmament of armed groups in Iraq and called for the organization and control of weapons instead of handing them over

The Al Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the State of Law coalition, opposed the disarmament of armed groups in Iraq and called for the organization and control of weapons instead of handing them over.

Maliki said that after the deadline set at the end of this month, armed groups will not hand over their weapons. This position conflicts with the Iraqi government’s plan to monopolize weapons in the hands of the state.

Al Sharq Al-Awsat also reported that the trip of Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, the chairman of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s parliament, to Iraq has added to differences over the disarmament of armed groups. According to the report, Tehran does not want the complete transfer of weapons by all armed groups.

Saleh al-‘Arbawi, the head of the Wa‘i movement, also told Al Sharq Al-Awsat that the arms handover process may turn into a mere formality, because some armed groups follow command and structures beyond Iraq’s borders.