Iraq's new PM vows to ensure state monopoly on arms

Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whose government was approved on Thursday, vowed to ensure that the state would have a monopoly over weapons, the INA state news agency said.

Zaidi's government program, which he presented to parliament, includes "reforming the security apparatus by restricting weapons to state control and strengthening the capabilities of the security forces", INA quoted the parliament media office as saying.

The U.S., a key powerbroker in Iraqi politics, has recently piled pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed groups, which it designates as terrorist organizations.