PM to Pentagon chief: Iraqi decision is independent, not affected by any dictates

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi stressed on Tuesday that the Iraqi decision is independent and is not affected by any pressure or dictates from any party.

During a meeting with acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan in Baghdad, Abdul Mahdi stressed Iraq’s keenness on developing relations with the U.S., particularly in the fight against terrorism and training of Iraqi forces.

“We must abide by the basic agreements between the two countries, which deal with fighting terrorism and training Iraqi forces, not anything else,” the premier said.

Abdul Mahdi called for supporting the efforts of stability and reconstruction in the country, noting that Iraq achieved great successes and is currently witnessing stability after defeating the gangs of Islamic State.

The premier also reiterated his country’s rejection of the presence of any foreign military bases in the Iraqi territories.

“Iraq is open to its Arab and regional environments and is keen to establish cooperation relations that serve the interests of the Iraqi people,” the premier added.

For his part, Shanahan expressed his country’s keenness on boosting relations with Iraq, adding that his current visit to Iraq mainly aimed at “listening to the Iraqi government’s vision on the nature and future of relations between the two countries.”

He also praised the efforts exerted by the Iraqi government to serve all spectra of the Iraqi people.

“The U.S. forces are mainly tasked with combating Islamic State and providing Iraqi forces with training to help them eliminate IS remnants,” he added.

The talks also focused on the war against terrorism and regional developments.