Iran-aligned Iraqi factions reject timetable for handing over weapons

Iraqi factions aligned with Iran said Wednesday they were not bound by any timetable or agreement to hand over their weapons.

The factions said they had held negotiations on regulating their arms but had yet to receive a government response.

Their statement drew a distinction between discussions over how their weapons would be regulated and a commitment to surrender them.

The factions maintained that those talks had placed them under no obligation to disarm by a set date or under an agreement.