New Iraq PM pledges monopoly on arms

New Iraq PM pledges monopoly on arms Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whose government was voted in by Iraq’s parliament on Thursday, has vowed to ensure a state monopoly on weapons. Zaidi’s programme involves “reforming the security apparatus by restricting weapons to state control and strengthening the capability of the security forces,” according to a statement by the parliament media office carried by Iraq’s state news agency. This comes amid growing US pressure on Iraq to dismantle Tehran-backed groups operating in the country.