U.S. official to visit Iraq this week

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides will visit Iraq this week to discuss a transitional period and the future of partnership between the United States and Iraq, according to the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Monday. “Nides will discuss with Iraqi officials partnership between the two countries within the framework of the status of forces agreement (SOFA),” read a U.S. embassy release received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The U.S. diplomat will also meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Basra Governor Shaltagh Abboud al-Mayyah, Basra Provincial Council Chairman Jabbar Amin Jaber al-Lateef and Kirkuk governor Abdulrahman Mustafa,” according to the statement. AmR (TP) 2001