Iraq: We do not need foreign combat forces.
In explaining the recent meeting between the Prime Minister of this country and the Secretary of Defense of the United States, the spokesman of the Iraqi government said that “Mohammed Shia al-Sudani” has mentioned several times that Iraq does not need foreign combat forces.
Basim al-Awadi, the spokesman of the Iraqi government, today (Wednesday), in an interview with the official Iraqi news agency (WAA), gave explanations about the recent meeting between US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani.
The spokesman of the Iraqi government stated: “The visit of US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin to Baghdad was announced yesterday – Tuesday – and was made with the knowledge and consent of the Baghdad government and was not intrusive. As is customary in terms of protocol, the American side had informed us of the travel time a week before.
The US defense minister, who recently visited the region, arrived in Baghdad yesterday morning on a trip that was not announced in the media. Lloyd Austin’s travel plan did not mention his trip to Iraq and it was only mentioned that he will travel to Jordan, Egypt and occupied Palestine.
Bassem Al-Awadi further added: “During the meeting between Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani and the US Defense Minister, the development of strategic cooperation between the two countries was discussed. “Austin brought the message of US President Joe Biden to the Iraqi presidency, in which he expressed hope that Iraq would be a stable and peaceful country away from unrest.”
Al-Awadi also said: “The basic principle that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani, pointed out several times was that Iraq does not need foreign combat forces, and cooperation efforts should be focused on training, strengthening and intelligence cooperation in the fight against the remaining elements.
