Trump to host Iraqi PM at White House in mid-July, says US embassy

BAGHDAD: US President Donald Trump will host Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House next month, the Iraqi leader’s office and the US embassy in Baghdad said Tuesday.

“Special Presidential Envoy Barrack conveyed President Trump looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Al-Zaidi to the White House mid-July to discuss the future of this important relationship,” said a joint statement from the Iraqi leader and Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, issued by the embassy.

The announcement comes during a visit by Barrack to the Iraqi capital Baghdad during which he discussed with the prime minister disarming and dissolving Iraq’s armed groups operating outside state authority.

The United States has recently increased pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed groups. In early May, Washington pledged to resume financial transfers to Iraq and security assistance once “concrete steps” have been taken against the groups.

Armed groups launched attacks against US facilities in Iraq after the Middle East war broke out in late February, before a ceasefire took effect on April 8.

The US has also launched strikes on some of the factions, which has strained ties between Washington and Baghdad.

Al-Zaidi, who took office in mid-May, has promised to ensure that the state maintains a monopoly on weapons.

He has also reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to deepening trade and investment relations with Washington.

A framework agreement to end the Middle East war was announced on Monday by Iran and the United States.

Iraq has long been a battleground between the US and Iran, with successive governments negotiating a delicate balance between them.