Iraqi Leaders Hold Onto Building Balanced Regional, Int’l Ties

Arab World

May 5th, 6:34am

Baghdad - Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqi President Barham Salih meets with White House Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Brett McGurk and his accompanying delegation. (Iraqi Presidency)

Iraqi President Barham Salih called on Tuesday for limiting regional tensions and considered Iraq’s role essential in facing security and environmental challenges in the region. Salih spoke during a meeting with a high-ranking US delegation at the Presidential Palace in the first such visit to Baghdad since President Joe Biden reached the White House earlier this year. Iraq has a balanced policy to limit tension in the region, the President said in a statement. He added that his country’s geographical location is essential in facing the challenges on combatting terrorism, and facing environmental disasters, climate change and desertification, and working to promote clean energy and sustainable management of water resources, through joint cooperation with regional and international networks. The US delegation visiting Iraq is led by White House Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Brett McGurk. It includes US State Department Adviser Derek Chollett, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joy Hood, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle Eastern Affairs Dana Stroll. The delegation affirmed Washington's commitment to supporting the security and stability of Iraq, ensuring its sovereignty, combating terrorism and strengthening its economy, and continuing work and joint coordination within the strategic dialogue between the two countries. The US officials also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who said talks between the two sides emphasized on activating the outcomes of the strategic dialogue between Iraq and the US, especially on the withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq and the development of economic, cultural and trade cooperation. They also discussed cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic as well as assistance to the rehabilitation of some health institutions in Iraq, said a statement issued by the PM’s office. Kadhimi’s advisor, Hussein Allawi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that for the past 18 years, the Iraqi-US relations have developed towards a comprehensive cooperation and a strategic partnership in line with the agreements reached between the two governments and Iraq’s role in the international coalition to counter ISIS.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2956116/iraqi-leaders-hold-building-balanced-regional-int%E2%80%99l-ties