President Barham Salih received General Joseph Votel the Commander of the US Central Command and his accompanying delegation, at the Presidential Office in Baghdad on Sunday, February 17, 2019
His Excellency highlighted the importance of developing security and military cooperation between the two friendly countries as well as the US contribution to arming and improving the military capabilities of the Iraqi security forces.
President Salih indicated that elimination of terrorism once and for all requires cooperation and commitment by the international community in supporting and shoring up the affected countries and their reconstruction.
President Barham Salih commended the great role of the international coalition in eradicating the terrorist gangs of ISIS.
For his part, General Votel renewed his country's commitment, standing up by the side of Iraq, and the development of the Iraqi security forces’ capabilities in training and armament.
The meeting stressed on the commitment to safeguard the Iraqi sovereignty, and that the presence of any forces for the purposes of support in the face of terrorism is at the invitation of the Iraqi government and within the agreed goals.