BAGHDAD, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani met with visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Shapiro on Monday to discuss ending the U.S.-led coalition mission fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq.
The prime minister's media office said the talks focused on procedures for ending the international coalition mission and strengthening bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States.
The meeting also touched on regional issues, with al-Sudani raising concerns about the "suffering of the Palestinian people" and the difficulties of delivering humanitarian aid. He reportedly criticized the international community for not pressuring Israel to halt its actions.
Shapiro, according to the statement, emphasized the importance of Iraq's role in regional stability and highlighted the need for continued communication and cooperation in areas like military equipment, security, and enhancing Iraqi forces' capabilities.
The meeting follows an agreement in January between Iraq and the United States to establish a joint Higher Military Commission tasked with overseeing the coalition's withdrawal. Iraqi authorities report that the commission has convened on multiple occasions to develop a plan for troop redeployment. ■
