Abadi reiterates rejection of bills undermining unity of Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi informed on Sunday US Vice President Joe Biden about his rejection of any project or bills that could lead to the division of Iraq on sectarian and ethnic grounds, local media reported.

The implications of the US non-binding bill have raised debate in Iraq, especially that it allows arming and training Sunni tribes and Peshmerga forces without the approval of Baghdad.

According to a statement issued by the Media Office of the Prime Minister, Abadi confirmed in a phone call with Biden "Iraq's refusal of any suggestions that would weaken the unity of the country and violates the national sovereignty".

The statement added that Abadi and Biden addressed "the overall political and security situation and the developments, particularly with regard to mutual commitment to preserve the unity of the Iraqi territory, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs".

The Armed Services Committee in the US Congress has passed a bill submitted by its member Mac Thornberry that imposes conditions for the allocation of US military assistance to Iraq worth $ 715 million.

The draft law stipulates arming Peshmerga Kurdish forces and fighters of the Sunni tribes without reference to Baghdad to make a "balance" in exchange for supporting Shiite factions of the federal government.

The American draft law has received a Kurdish and Sunni welcome but faced a rejection by the government and Shiite forces in the country.