Iraqi MPs pass resolution calling for foreign troops to leave the country in wake of Iranian general’s assassination.
The MPs have passed a resolution calling for foreign troops to leave the country after the US killed a top Iranian general in a drone strike at Baghdad airport last week.
Parliament in Baghdad also asked the Iraqi government to work to ban foreign forces from using Iraqi land, airspace or water for any reason.
“The government commits to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting Islamic State due to the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory,” the resolution read.
The US has some 5,000 military personnel in Iraq, mainly as advisers.
Thousands of Iraqis attended a funeral procession for Qasem Soleimani before his body was flown to Iran.
The non-binding resolution was passed on Sunday after Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, called for an end to the foreign military presence in a speech to MPs.
What does the resolution say exactly?
It calls on the government to revoke its request for assistance from the international coalition fighting IS due to “the end of military operations in Iraq and the achievement of victory”.
It says “the Iraqi government must work to end the presence of any foreign troops on Iraqi soil and prohibit them from using its land, airspace or water for any reason”.
Furthermore, the government must file a formal complaint to the UN against the US “for its serious violations and breaches of Iraqi sovereignty and security”.
Ahead of the vote, the prime minister said the US military presence in the country should be ended as soon as possible.
Ending the US military presence in Iraq was “better for reorganising healthier and correct relationships with the US and the rest of the states”, Mr Abdul Mahdi said.