US first official visit to Baghdad since Biden took office
ERBIL, Iraq (North Press) – On Tuesday, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi and a high-level US delegation, headed by the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk, discussed coordination and joint cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
On May 1, the US State Department said that a diplomatic and security delegation would start a foreign tour that includes the UAE, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and it would continue until May 7, to discuss a number of regional issues.
Headed by McGurk, the delegation included the Counselor of the US State Department, Derek Chollet, the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Joey Hood, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Dana Stroul.
The meeting discussed a mechanism for activating the outcomes of the strategic dialogue between Iraq and the US, al-Kadhimi’s office said.
The meeting touched on the withdrawal of the combating forces from Iraq, and “developing and expanding cooperation in the economic, cultural and commercial fields.”
The office added that the meeting also discussed “cooperation in the health aspect, fighting coronavirus pandemic, and providing support for the rehabilitation of some health institutions in Iraq.”
This is the first visit to the Middle East since Biden took office to succeed Trump.
Yesterday, the US delegation visited the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, and the meeting dealt with the solid historical relations and strategic partnership between Jordan and the US, according to what the Royal Hashemite Court.