ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is determined to proceed with efforts to confine weapons to the state and eliminate institutional corruption, with the parliament giving the government full authorization to move forward, the government spokesperson said Friday.

“The Prime Minister enjoys great political and national support and consensus to proceed with the file of restricting weapons to the state and drying up the channels of corruption in the country’s institutions,” said government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi.

Aboudi also stressed that “the parliament has fully authorized the government” to proceed with these files.

The confinement of weapons within the authority of the Iraqi state has emerged as one of the central objectives of Zaidi’s government program.

”Iraq is in dire need today of a completely stable internal environment and a safe and attractive climate for foreign investments,” the spokesperson added.

Zaidi, since his election into office in May, has enjoyed staunch US support. US President Donald Trump personally congratulated him over a phone call, expressing his anticipation for a "highly productive" new bilateral relationship and extending an invitation for him to visit Washington following the formation of a government.

On Monday, the Iraqi premier received US envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack, with the pair stressing the need to ensure “the complete disarmament and disbandment” of non-state armed groups, reiterating both Washington and Baghdad’s commitment toward that end.

Regarding Baghdad’s relations with Washington, Aboudi said the joint coordination mechanism between the two countries is built on “clear and firm foundations.”

He added that Iraq-US relations are primarily based on “mutual interests in the economic and security sectors” in a way that serves “the stability and sovereignty of Iraq.”

Since the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet, several pro-Iran Iraqi factions have already announced their willingness to hand over weapons and integrate into the state security apparatus, with some also declaring willingness to sever their ties with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).