Obama to meet Iraqi PM in April, will discuss military campaign against Islamic State

Washington: US President Barack Obama will meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the White House on 14 April to discuss a range of issues, including the military campaign against the Islamic State.

“The prime minister’s visit underscores the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq and the strong US commitment to political and military cooperation with Iraq in the joint fight against ISIL,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

“The President and Prime Minister will discuss a range of issues, including continued US support to Iraq to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, the Government of Iraq’s actions to address the needs of the Iraqi people and to strengthen cooperation between all communities in Iraq, and advancing a broad US-Iraqi partnership through expanded political, commercial, and cultural relations under the US -Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement,” Earnest said.

It will be Abadi’s first trip to the US since becoming prime minister last August. Abadi came to power just as the US and its international partners began an air campaign against the Islamic State terrorist organisation.

After invading and occupying Iraq between 2003 to 2011, US troops withdrew but about 2,600 have returned to help counter IS militants.

Obama would also host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a State Dinner at the White House on 28 April.

“The two leaders will celebrate the strong global partnership that the United States and Japan have developed during the 70 years since the end of World War II, and underscore the common values and principles that have made the bilateral relationship so enduring,” Earnest said.

“Obama and Abe will discuss a range of economic, security, and global issues, including progress on the Trans Pacific Partnership, Japan’s expanding role in the Alliance, and climate change,” Earnest said.

PTI