(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi said Monday he did not grant immunity against judicial prosecution for US soldiers in Iraq.
"I didn't sign decrees on immunity for any US soldier; only diplomatic immunities were issued before," he told reporters in Karbala city, southwest Baghdad.
On the US airstrikes against militant organizations and the existence of foreign military experts in Iraq, he said his government requested the provision of air cover and the deployment of US military trainers to five camps to build the capacity of the Iraqi army.
Commenting on claims of corruption in the army and fake payroll, he said: "The issue of the so-called aliens (names of fictitious soldiers) constitutes a two-faced crime; it's a plundering of state funds and a serious security breach." He warned of punitive action against those who prove to be receiving illicit gains, adding: "I have started with striking the big whales and will pursue them to the end even if it cost me my life." Regarding the combat against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the prime minister said the collaboration between the security services and the citizens helped foil the attempts of the terrorist group to mar the Day of Ashura (on November 4) and will help do so 40 days later, when Shiites commemorate death of Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali.
He called on the citizens to show patience and understand the security measures in an around Karbala city in the run-up to and during that holy occasion.
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