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Iraq PM Maliki visits Washington amid US troop pull-out | Iraq PM Maliki visits Washington amid US troop pull-out |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Iraq's prime minister has arrived in Washington to open a "new chapter" in US-Iraqi relations, the White House said, as American forces complete their withdrawal. | Iraq's prime minister has arrived in Washington to open a "new chapter" in US-Iraqi relations, the White House said, as American forces complete their withdrawal. |
Nouri Maliki will meet US President Barack Obama on Monday as part of two days of talks, officials said. | |
The visit comes amid concerns for the stability of Iraq as US forces leave after an eight-year presence. | The visit comes amid concerns for the stability of Iraq as US forces leave after an eight-year presence. |
US troops are due to complete their pullout by the end of the year. | |
Mr Maliki will also meet Vice-President Joe Biden and US lawmakers for talks which will cover issues relating to security, energy, education and justice, the White House said. | Mr Maliki will also meet Vice-President Joe Biden and US lawmakers for talks which will cover issues relating to security, energy, education and justice, the White House said. |
It is Mr Maliki's third visit to the US since he came to power in 2006. | |
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the withdrawal is a momentous change, but it does not mean a complete end to US influence. | |
About 150 military trainers and several hundred private contractors are working with the Iraqi forces. | |
Strategic partnership | |
Iraqi leaders admit they still need help to meet any threat to their borders and airspace. | |
So some kind of continuing strategic relationship is envisaged - but its exact nature is the subject of Mr Maliki's discussions in Washington, our correspondent says. | |
It is a delicate issue for the Shia-dominated government of Mr Maliki, who essentially owes his position to Iran's support, our correspondent adds. | |
He says the Americans - and some Iraqis - are worried about an upsurge of Iranian influence, and perhaps a resurgence of the Shia militias, once the US troops have gone. | |
On Wednesday, to mark the pullout, Mr Obama will address returning soldiers at a base in North Carolina. | |
Meanwhile, Iraq's top security adviser, Falah al-Fayadh, said Nato has decided to withdraw its Iraq training mission by the end of the year after Baghdad refused to give it legal immunity, according to AFP news agency. | Meanwhile, Iraq's top security adviser, Falah al-Fayadh, said Nato has decided to withdraw its Iraq training mission by the end of the year after Baghdad refused to give it legal immunity, according to AFP news agency. |
But a Nato official denied the claim, telling the news agency that no decision had yet been made. | But a Nato official denied the claim, telling the news agency that no decision had yet been made. |