US deputy secretary of state arrives in Baghdad

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived here late on Tuesday on a surprise visit for talks with Iraqi officials on the latest political, economic and humanitarian developments in the country, including the long-term partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement. 

Blinken is accompanied by Brett H. McGurk, US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, and Joseph Pennington, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Baghdad.

He will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi and other national and provincial Iraqi officials to discuss a range of issues, including collective efforts to defeat Daesh and planning for the Mosul offensive. 

They will also meet with senior U.S. military officials to discuss Coalition efforts and ongoing support for all elements of the Iraqi Security Forces under the command and control of the Iraqi government.

On Thursday, Blinken will visit the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) where he will meet with IKR President Barzani and other senior regional government officials to continue discussions on efforts to degrade and defeat Daesh and support for the Peshmerga as well as the response to the urgent humanitarian and IDP crises in Iraq.

Source: MENA