Biden discusses with Maliki support for Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki on Sunday about ongoing US support for Iraq in its fight against Al-Qaeda in Iraq/the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (AQI/ISIL), the White House announced. Biden commended the commitment of the Iraqi government to integrate tribal forces fighting AQI/ISIL into Iraqi security forces, to provide compensation for those injured and killed protecting Iraqi citizens from AQ/ISIL, and to rebuild communities in Anbar damaged from the fighting, the announcement said. Biden also emphasized, as he has with leaders of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the importance of concluding a mutually acceptable path forward regarding oil exports from Iraq, it said. The Vice President also extended his congratulations to Iraq and the young players from its national team who won the Under-22 Asia Cup earlier in the day in Oman. Source: KUNA