Iraqi leaders affirmed that the “declaration of war is the prerogative of the Iraqi legislative and executive power… no other party is entitled to declare the state of war or to act on the basis of the state of war inside the Iraqi territories”. “Iraq refuses “to be a staging post for any hostile action against any of our neighbours”, they indicated, further declaring that “acts of outlaw groups acting against the country’s security are a serious threat to Iraq security and stability. Therefore, the need has emerged to make more concerted efforts at all levels in addition to having an effective presence of the different political powers to face this escalation and support the Iraqi government’s efforts”. The leaders also underscored “the Iraqi government’s efforts to monopolise the arms by the state and to prevent the targeting of diplomatic missions”, according to the president’s office.