Iraq is seeking withdrawal of forces of the US-led international coalition from the country and is able to defend itself from terrorism, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said on Wednesday.
"We are seeking the withdrawal of the coalition because Iraq can now defend itself from terrorism and must exercise full sovereignty over its territory," the prime minister said, as quoted by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq will prevent "further tensions" related to Iraq’s internal and regional security, Al Sudani added.
According to the prime minister, there is a need to reorganize relations with the coalition, to make sure that the goal of its presence in Iraq is not to influence the country’s or the region’s stability.
At the same time, Iraq is open to establishment of bilateral security relations with coalition countries, including the US.
"This process may include training and advising Iraqi security forces, as well as the procurement of weapons," Al Sudani said, adding that the US is not an enemy of Iraq.