Baghdad The Prime Minister stressed the importance of uniting international efforts against the threat of terrorism and extremist takfiri ideology, which threatens the region and the world at large.
Al-Kadhimi said during his meeting with a US military delegation headed by the Commander of the US Central Command, First Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, accompanied by US Ambassador Matthew Tueller, that Iraq will remain proud of the victory it achieved against the most powerful terrorist organizations in the modern era.
Al-Kadhimi added that the support, and training that Iraq obtained from all its brothers and friends, was an essential element in achieving that victory, and in raising the level of capabilities of the security forces in a way that enabled the government to move in its relationship with the international coalition, to the stage of ending combat missions.
For his part, General McKenzie praised the continuous growth of the capabilities and skills of the Iraqi security forces, and their ability to play combat roles against terrorism efficiently and courageously, with the task of the international coalition moving to advice, training and intelligence cooperation, noting that the ceremony that took place today, witnessed the handover of the leadership of the coalition to Major General John Brennan, succeeding Lieutenant General Paul Calvert, represents one step towards achieving this transition.”
McKenzie stressed that reducing the level of the American military presence will not weaken the commitment of the United States of America to the broader strategic relationship with Iraq, in the political, economic, cultural and other fields, as well as the security relationship, according to the outcomes of the strategic dialogue between the two countries.
During the meeting, it was agreed to hold a new meeting of the Iraqi Military Technical Committee and its American counterpart; in order to implement the remaining steps of the outcomes of the strategic dialogue, especially with regard to ending the presence of the American combat forces at the end of this year, after the reduction of the level of military representation of the coalition leadership was achieved; in line with the new, non-combat phase of its role in Iraq.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency