Factions' weapons and the 'Iranian plane' on the four leaders' table in Baghdad

Al-Wasat Iraqi newspaper — Baghdad

The four presidencies in Iraq are holding an important meeting this evening, Monday, to discuss files on placing factions' weapons under state control, the repercussions of banning Iranian flights at Iraqi airports, completing ministerial portfolios, and combating corruption.

The four local presidents are: President of the Republic Nizar Amidi, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, Speaker of Parliament Haybat al-Halbousi, and Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan.

According to an informed source who spoke to Al-Wasat Iraqi newspaper, the presidents will discuss steps and mechanisms to confine the weapons of armed factions to state hands during the coming phase, which follows the announcement—due in two days—of the end of the international coalition's presence.

They will also discuss, during the meeting, the ban on Iranian flights at Iraqi airports and the U.S. threat to impose sanctions on any Iraqi airport that receives any Iranian airline, according to the source.

The presidents will also discuss completing the ministerial portfolios, in addition to the anti-corruption dossier and the need to continue efforts in this regard to correct Iraq's financial and economic course in the coming phase.

Yesterday, Sunday, a senior government source said that Baghdad received a serious and direct American warning against receiving any Iranian airline at Iraqi airports, stressing that this would expose the airport and the entities and companies providing services to these flights to "American sanctions."

Last Saturday the Iraqi government sought direct dialogue with the U.S. administration to exempt some Iraqi airports from the ban on Iranian flights.