Al-Zaydi: Iraq today is a country that makes its own decisions and where weapons are under the control of the Commander-in-Chief
Al-Zaydi: Iraq today is a country that makes its own decisions and where weapons are under the control of the Commander-in-Chief
2026-10-04
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi affirmed on Saturday evening that Iraq is a country that “owns its own decision and protects its land and skies, and weapons within it are subject to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” noting that the Iraqi state completed its sovereignty on September 30, 2026, with the end of the military mission of the international coalition.
Al-Zaydi said in a speech on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Iraq, which falls on October 3, that Iraq was the first Arab country to join the League of Nations and participated in the founding of the United Nations, indicating that political instability has deprived the country of many development opportunities and caused a recurring return to “zero beginnings”.
He added that after 2003, Iraqis went through the experience of a democratic state and adopted a permanent constitution that enshrines the peaceful transfer of power.
He pointed out that his government has taken on the responsibility of protecting Iraq’s interests, security, sovereignty and national decision from the repercussions of the conflict in the region, stressing that Iraq “is pursuing a balanced foreign policy that takes into account the supreme national interest and builds its relations on the basis of mutual interests and respect.”
On the economic front, he said that the government is working on diversifying the economy, empowering the private sector, linking government spending to results, and moving forward with the initiative of one million residential plots. He added that it is proceeding with the establishment of the Generations Fund to guarantee the future of the children, the creation of economic cities, and the implementation of the development road “so that Iraq becomes a trade route, an energy corridor, an investment center, and a bridge between East and West.”
He pledged to continue fighting corruption, protecting public funds, and strengthening preventive oversight.
The Prime Minister stressed that “it is our responsibility to make sovereignty a path to reform,” emphasizing that “with the unity of the people of Iraq and their national and social harmony, we move from facing crises to building the future.”
Al-Zaydi addressed the Iraqis, saying: “We pledge to you that the interest of Iraq will remain above all consideration, the citizen will be the focus of attention, and a strong and just state will be our goal.”
Iraq’s National Day is celebrated on October 3rd of each year. This day symbolizes a pivotal historical milestone: Iraq’s official independence from the British Mandate in 1932, and its joining the League of Nations (the international organization that preceded the United Nations) as a fully sovereign state.
Thus, Iraq became the first Arab country to join this international organization, and the 57th country in the world at that time.
The Iraqi government has officially recognized this date as a national holiday and official holiday throughout the country under a law issued in September 2020.
shafaq.com
