Shafaq News..US backs Iraq’s “new path” under al-Zaidi

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The United States supports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali
al-Zaidi’s vision for the country and is working with Baghdad to strengthen
bilateral ties, a US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the spokesperson cited President Donald
Trump’s July 14 meeting with al-Zaidi, saying Washington strongly supports the
prime minister’s efforts to ensure a brighter future for Iraqis, prevent
attacks inside Iraq or from its territory, and build a strong, mutually
beneficial US-Iraq partnership.

The statement comes weeks before the US-led Global Coalition
is due to end its military mission in Iraq. Al-Zaidi has repeatedly set
September 30 as the target for completing the withdrawal and enabling Baghdad
to assume full responsibility for security.

A senior US official previously told Shafaq News that
Washington and its Coalition partners would “reduce” their military presence in
Iraq rather than completely end it, describing the move as a transition toward
a long-term bilateral security partnership.

The September deadline is also tied to Baghdad’s efforts to
place weapons under state control. Iraq’s State Administration Coalition (SAC) has
warned that armed activity outside state institutions after September 30 will
be treated under the country’s anti-terrorism law.

During his July visit to Washington, al-Zaidi met with Trump
and senior US officials, with talks focusing on security, energy and economic
cooperation. Iraq also announced plans for more than 18 partnership agreements
with US companies and institutions covering energy, investment, infrastructure,
technology, healthcare and other sectors.