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Iraq is intensifying efforts to address the issue of armed factions and complete its government formation, as Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi prepares for an upcoming visit to the United States. An Iraqi official source revealed that the expected visit of US envoy Tom Barrack to Baghdad is crucial for setting the final agenda and key discussion points for the Prime Minister's trip to Washington.

The source indicated that preparations are underway to consolidate bilateral concerns. This includes finalizing agreements and memorandums of understanding that have already been settled, as well as addressing ongoing discussions. A primary focus is the disarmament of armed factions and the lifting of US vetoes on political groups that have expressed willingness to disarm and surrender their weapons to the state.

Barrack's periodic visits to Baghdad aim to coordinate relations between the two capitals. His upcoming trip will also encompass discussions on unresolved issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, with a particular emphasis on oil-related disputes, which the US administration is keen to see resolved. These matters are expected to be a significant part of the agenda when the Iraqi delegation travels to Washington.

Regarding the cabinet, which still requires approximately nine ministers, the Prime Minister is engaged in talks with political forces to fill the remaining posts. The goal is to complete the government lineup before the Washington visit. This issue, along with the lifting of US vetoes on groups willing to disarm, will be discussed with Barrack. The source also noted that long-standing constitutional disputes with the Kurdistan Region are unlikely to be resolved during Barrack's visit, but normal political disagreements, including oil exports and the region's share of federal ministries, will be addressed.