AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has met top officials in Iraq and the American troops stationed in the country during an unannounced trip to capital, Baghdad.
Pompeo met Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, President Barham Salih, Foreign Minister Mohamed Alhakim and Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
The US State Department did not immediately comment on reports of Pompeo's visit to Iraq. Pompeo and the Iraqi officials made no statements to the media.
Pompeo's Middle East tour comes amid confusion over conflicting statements by US President Donald Trump and senior US officials about a planned troop withdrawal from Syria.
When asked on Tuesday about a possible visit, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi had declined to confirm.
"He's an ally, he represents a friendly country," said Abdul Mahdi.
"We will raise those issues, and how to deal with regional issues altogether and deepen our economic and educational relations with the United States."
Pompeo is also expected to visit Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait.
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9 January 2019 - 13:20
News ID: 924161
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has met top officials in Iraq and the American troops stationed in the country during an unannounced trip to capital, Baghdad.
