On Saturday, Mohammed Al-Halbousi, leader of the Progress Party and former Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, emphasized that Iraq is not isolated from the world but both influences and is influenced by its external environment.
Speaking at the 7th Baghdad International Dialogue, Al-Halbousi stressed the need for a political agreement document to act as a balance to the constitution, identifying Iraq’s key challenges and binding all political, social, and civil forces within a non-negotiable timeline.
He added that Iraq requires a political document that defines the foundations of the political system, not merely a framework for government formation. Some provisions proposed after 2022 have been implemented, while others remain pending.
Regarding arms, Al-Halbousi pointed out that the Iraqi constitution prohibits political parties from maintaining armed wings, emphasizing that weapons must be exclusively in the hands of the state.
He noted that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were
