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Halbousi meets Pence, Shanahan, affirms need for US presence in Iraq

Halbousi meets Pence Shanahan affirms need for US presence in Iraq
Halbousi meets Pence, Shanahan, affirms need for US presence in Iraq

2019-03-28 00:00:00 - Source: Baghdad Post

Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi met with US Vice President Mike Pence, where he stressed the importance of the continuous security partnership between the two states.

“I’m grateful for the continued security alliance between our nations, our shared sacrifices to defeat ISIS, and Iraq’s commitment to protecting religious minorities and rebuilding these communities,” Pence said on Twitter.

Great to welcome Iraqi Speaker al-Halbousi to the @WhiteHouse today. I’m grateful for the continued security alliance between our nations, our shared sacrifices to defeat ISIS, & Iraq’s commitment to protecting religious minorities & rebuilding these communities. pic.twitter.com/83mphBe2Ro

Pence commended Speaker Halbousi for his strong leadership in the Government of Iraq and welcomed the Speaker’s insights on ways for the US and Iraq to work more closely following the territorial defeat of ISIS, including encouraging American businesses to invest in Iraq and creating economic opportunities for the thousands of Iraqis who remain displaced, a statement by the White House read.

The two leaders also discussed the need for a continued security partnership in Iraq to counter terrorism and establish security across the country as well as improving the security and economic situation for Iraq’s religious components.

Iraq declared victory against ISIS in December 2017 but the terror group is still able to carry out attacks across the country.

Halbousi also met, during his five-day visit to Washington, with acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan.

"The continuation of US support to eliminate the remaining sleeper cells and extremist ideologies are vital to ensuring that an ISIS resurgence is contained," Halbousi said during his visit.

"Pleased to meet w/ Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Mohammed
al-Halbousi & MPs at the Pentagon today. We discussed the US-Iraq strategic
partnership & our commitment to a sovereign, secure & prosperous Iraq that
is capable of defeating #ISIS & preventing its resurgence," Shanahan said in a Tweet.

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