Biden to host Iraqi prime minister at White House next month

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden will host Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani at the White House on April 15 amid reports of a potential withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

Biden and Al-Sudani will "coordinate on common priorities and reinforce the strong bilateral partnership between the United States and Iraq," White House Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

"The leaders will reaffirm their commitment to the Strategic Framework Agreement and deepen their shared vision for a secure, sovereign, and prosperous Iraq fully integrated into the broader region," she added.

The two leaders will also discuss "shared commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIS and evolution of the military mission nearly ten years after forming the successful Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," the White House said.

Ongoing Iraqi financial reforms to promote economic development and progress towards Iraq’s energy independence and modernization will also be on the agenda, according the statement.

The visit follows Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's announcement in late January regarding talks between the US and Iraq on a potential end to the US-led anti-Daesh/ISIS coalition's presence in Iraq.

Washington and Baghdad agreed last summer to the formation of the US-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC) and the defense chief said the looming commencement of the process "reflects the deep U.S. commitment to regional stability and Iraqi sovereignty."

Several US media outlets, citing US officials, reported last month that the US and Iraq will "soon" begin discussions regarding the future of American military presence in the country but Pentagon denied that meetings are a negotiation to withdraw US forces from Iraq.

Roughly 2,500 American troops remain in Iraq on a train and assist mission for Iraqi forces following the December 2021 announcement of the end of major combat operations in the effort to defeat the Daesh/ISIS terror group.

Prior to the Iraqi prime minister’s visit, an Iraqi delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein arrived in Washington DC on Friday to hold a series of meetings with US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.