Zebari meets U.S. delegation

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari discussed with a visiting U.S. delegation the latest security and political developments in Iraq, according to a statement released from the foreign ministry on Sunday. “Zebari received yesterday a visiting delegation from U.S. diplomats and military officers from the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM),” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com. “The delegation is visiting Baghdad to evaluate the political and security developments in the country,” it added. “The minister explained to the delegation the positive security and political developments, mainly after approving the U.S. troop withdrawal agreement by the parliament,” the statement also said. The Iraqi Presidential Board (PB) had rarified the long-term security pact with the United States, also known as the status of forces agreement (SOFA), which had been passed by parliament on November 27. “2009 will be a year full of challenges for Iraq to continue the democratic process,” the minister stressed. SH (P) 1