Iraq Will Not Allow Its Territory to Be Used to Attack Other Countries

Iraq will not allow its territory to be a launchpad or staging ground for attacks on other countries, a military spokesman said on Sunday.

Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), spokesman for the Supreme Commander of the Iraqi Armed Forces Sabah al-Numan said Baghdad's policy is based on efforts to avoid regional and international conflicts to maintain domestic stability.

He said that arms control under state control remains a key pillar of the government's security strategy and a necessary step to end armed activities outside the legal framework, quoted by Anadolu (18/5).

Al-Numan also stressed that Iraq would not allow other countries to interfere in its internal affairs, saying the country was trying to protect itself from the security and political impact of regional crises.

Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi promised on Thursday to put all weapons under state control as part of a broader reform program after gaining parliamentary confidence.