Prime Minister tells U.S. Secretary of State government determined to complete sovereign responsibilities

Baghdad – Al-Wasat Iraqi newspaper

Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, during his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, affirmed the government's determination to complete its sovereign responsibilities and to proceed with measures to confine weapons to the hands of the state.

The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement that 'Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi received in New York, yesterday, Monday (Baghdad time), U.S. Secretary of State Mr. Marco Rubio and the delegation accompanying him, on the sidelines of his participation in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in its 81st session.'

According to the statement, the Prime Minister affirmed that 'the government is working to consolidate Iraqi–American relations, and to elevate the level of strategic partnership between the two countries within a framework of constructive economic cooperation that expands areas of joint work and strengthens mutual interests.'

The prime minister renewed his affirmation of the government's determination to complete the sovereign responsibilities, and to proceed with measures to confine weapons to the hands of the state in accordance with constitutional and legal principles.

For his part, Rubio expressed his country's support for Iraq, government and people, in consolidating internal stability and ensuring its sustainability, and in achieving Iraqis' aspirations to develop their economy and enhance their openness to the world, in addition to supporting the government's steps and decisions aimed at completing the elements of the state and consolidating the foundations of stability and economic development.