The decision was announced as Iraq's Prime Minister received the Commander of United States Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, in Baghdad to discuss the conclusion of the coalition mission and the future of the security relationship between Iraq and the United States.
According to a statement from the prime minister's office, 1 October will be a "new day in Iraq's national journey" as the country will be free from foreign military presence after completing its sovereignty and building security and military capacity that will enable it to protect its security and stability.
Both sides affirmed the final agreement on the termination of the coalition's military mission in accordance with understandings reached during the prime minister's visit to Washington in mid-July. The statement explained that the Iraq-US relationship would transition after the withdrawal towards cooperation and partnership in the fields of economics, development, and security based on respect for sovereignty and mutual interests.
The withdrawal of coalition forces coincided with a previous deadline set by politicians to localise weapons in state hands and end the presence of armed groups outside official institutions. During the meeting, the prime minister emphasised that "localising weapons in state hands, in accordance with the law, protects everyone and strengthens state authority and sovereignty and guarantees security and stability," considering it an important condition for Iraq's transition to a new phase of development.
However, the meeting statement did not explicitly link the 30 September date to the weapons handover by armed groups or confirm that the deadline was final, unlike the clear emphasis on the end of the international coalition mission. The prime minister called for compliance with the constitution and state principles and the preservation of its highest interests, and directed the energy of the Iraqi people towards development, emphasising the nation's need for the efforts of all citizens to build a strong economy and a stable state.
