Abadi's coalition compares the decision to end UNAMI's mission with the exit of the Americans: negotiations will last for two years - urgent, 9 JUNE

 Abadi's coalition compares the decision to end UNAMI's mission with the exit of the Americans: negotiations will last for two years - urgent

Baghdad Today - Baghdad 

Aqeel al-Rudaini, a leader of the Victory Coalition led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, said on Saturday (June 8, 2024) that the Iraqi government is serious about removing US forces from Iraq, while noting that negotiations in this regard will extend for two full years.

Al-Rudaini said in an interview with "Baghdad Today", that "the negotiations of Baghdad and Washington on the removal of US forces from Iraq are continuing according to the data and assurances of the Prime Minister's Office, and we do not believe that they will end within a year if we know that the closure of the headquarters of the United Nations mission will take two years, let alone with large forces on the ground and have communication with joint operations."

He added that "the removal of US forces will take two years or more, but in any case the government is serious in this regard and is continuing its negotiations by a higher committee for coordination, pointing out that what strengthens Baghdad's position in the negotiations is the ability of its forces to hold the reins of the border and internal security file and succeed in confronting terrorism and dismantling its cells."

Al-Rudaini pointed out that "the removal of US forces cannot be overnight, and negotiations will determine the time limit, but it is certain that Baghdad's decision in this direction is past and it is serious at the same time."

Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani stressed on Tuesday (June 4, 2024) that the UN Security Council's decision to end the work of the UNAMI mission in Iraq does not mean a break with the United Nations.

A statement by the Prime Minister's Information Office said that the recent Security Council decision to end the work of the UNAMI mission in Iraq came at the request of Iraq, indicating that it represents international recognition of the progress made in the Iraqi arena.

He added that the termination of UNAMI's work does not mean a break with the United Nations and specialized international agencies, noting that international organizations have reached a positive performance evaluation for Iraq that supports stability.

The UN Security Council unanimously decided, on Friday (May 31, 2024), to terminate the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) at the request of Baghdad, and to have the date of withdrawal by the end of 2025, after its presence in Baghdad for more than 20 years.