ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, made an unscheduled stop in the Iraqi capital on Wednesday during his Middle East tour. He then traveled to the Kurdistan Region capital.
He was received by Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousi, Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim, President Barham Salih, and Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. He also met with US troops based in the country.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C) and his wife Susan (C-R) are welcomed by US ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman (C-L) as they arrive in Baghdad. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP / POOL
Pompeo made a stop in Jordan on Tuesday. He is expected in Egypt later on Wednesday, and will also stop in several Gulf nations to bolster America’s anti-Iran campaign.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C) is received by Iraq's Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbusi (2nd-R) in Baghdad. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP / POOL
He is also seeking to reassure allies in the wake of US President Donald Trump's bombshell decision to withdraw troops from northern Syria.
In his meeting with Salih, the Iraqi president stressed the “depth of relations” between Iraq and the United States and the need to develop their ties further based on common interests. Specifically, Salih said he would like to see the US help in the reconstruction of Iraq and rebuilding the country’s economy, according to a statement from his office.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim (R) in Baghdad. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP / POOL
Trump drew harsh criticism when he paid a three-hour surprise visit to US troops stationed in Iraq on December 26. The US president was criticized for not meeting with any Iraqi officials and accused of flouting the nation’s sovereignty.
Pompeo's visit could be interpreted as an effort to make amends.
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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi (R) in Baghdad. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP / POOL
According to Salih’s office, Pompeo said America is keen to “establish a distinguished relationship with Iraq,” a country that is a strategic partner in the region.
Great to meet the new Iraqi government and congratulate @AdilAbdAlMahdi, @BarhamSalih, @AlHalbooosii and @maalhakim in person and reinforce our bilateral ties. Look forward to working together on key regional issues and to supporting Iraq’s energy independence. pic.twitter.com/coF4r1yCJe
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 9, 2019
Pompeo also traveled to Erbil, where he was received by Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Masoud Barzani (L) receives US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Erbil. Photo: Barzani's office
While Pompeo said a focus of his visit was to convince Baghdad to end its imports of electricity and natural gas from Iran, the main issue for Masoud Barzani was the US withdrawal from Syria that will leave Kurds there exposed to an imminent offensive by Turkey.
Masoud Barzani expressed his concerns about the fate of Rojava and urged the US not to let “new developments cause any suffering or damage to the Kurdish nation” across the border, Barzani’s office detailed in a readout of their meeting.
Pompeo explained the mechanism of the American exit from Syria and said the Kurdistan Region’s position is important to the United States, according to the statement.
Pompeo then met with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) shakes hands with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. Photo: KRG
Nechirvan Barzani described their meeting as “productive,” adding that they discussed the latest regional developments.
The prime minister also briefed Pompeo on recent KRG reforms and asked for assistance “in terms of skills and expertise in order to improve the reforms and promote government affairs."
The KRG had begun a series of reforms that included cleaning up the government payroll, reducing bureaucracy and increasing transparency with the introduction of an e-governance platform, and professionalizing the armed forces. Progress has been stalled, however, as the new government still has not been formed 101 days after the election.
I’m pleased to welcome U.S. Secretary of State @SecPompeo to Erbil. We had a productive meeting on further strengthening bilateral ties and discussed latest developments in the region. pic.twitter.com/x10MEL5vK3
— Nechirvan Barzani (@PMBarzani) January 9, 2019
They discussed the political and security developments in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the wider region, said KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, who was also present.
KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani (centre left) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: Talabani’s office.
They “agreed that the situation is sensitive and that the internal issues have to be resolved through dialogue as well as reinforcing our relations with America,” according to Talabani’s office.
And he met Security Chancellor Masour Barzani, who has been tipped to be the next prime minister.
Kurdistan Region Security Chancellor Masrour Barzani (R) sits with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: Masrour Barzani’s office
This is a developing story… Last updated 9.19 pm
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