Maliki meets Obama before US full withdrawal from Iraq

WASHINGTON - With the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq in its final days, President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will meet at the White House Monday to discuss the next phase of the relationship between their countries.
They will have plenty to discuss.


The withdrawal of all American troops on Dec. 31 marks the end of a nearly nine-year war that has been deeply divisive in both the U.S. and Iraq. While Obama and al-Maliki have pledged to maintain strong ties, the contours of the partnership between Washington and Baghdad remain murky, especially with Iran eager to assert influence over neighboring Iraq. And serious questions remain about Iraq's capacity to stabilize both its politics and security.


Yet the end of the war still marks a promise kept for Obama, one the White House is eager to promote. In addition to his meeting with al-Maliki, Obama will mark the milestone Wednesday when he speaks to troops at North Carolina's Fort Bragg. And he thanked service members and their families for their sacrifices when he attended the annual Army-Navy football game Saturday.


As of late last week, the number of U.S. troops in Iraq had dwindled to about 8,000, down from 170,000 at the war's peak in 2007.


Monday's meeting between Obama and al-Maliki is expected to focus heavily on how the U.S. and Iraq will continue to cooperate on security issues without the presence of American troops. Iraqi leaders have said they want U.S. military training help for their security forces but have been unable to agree on what type of help they'd like or what protections they would be willing to give American trainers.


The White House said Obama and al-Maliki would also discuss cooperation on energy, trade and education.


Obama and al-Maliki will also hold a joint news conference at the White House, then lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, where some of the nearly 4,500 Americans killed in the Iraq war are buried.


“Maliki will meet, during his visit to Washington, US President Barack Obama to discuss bilateral relations between both countries and the implementation of the Strategic Framework Agreement after full withdrawal from Iraq by end of December,” said a statement of Iraqi Prime Minister’s office, which Alsumarianews received a copy of.


“Maliki and Obama will tackle the US withdrawal from Iraq and the new stage of relations in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement between Iraq and the US,” White House’s Press Secretary Jay Carney said.


US press reports announced that Maliki will also convene with US Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as Senate Officials to discuss issues regarding security, energy, education and justice.


Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki left for the US, on Sunday, heading a ministerial delegation including Transportation Minister Hadi Al Amiri, Trade Minister Khairullah Babekir, Culture and Defense Minister Saadoun Al Dulaimi, National Security Advisor Faleh Al Fayad, chairman of National investment commission Sami Raouf Al Araji, in addition to head of the Advisory Board Thamer Abbas Al Ghadban and Media Consultant of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Moussawi.


Maliki’s visit is the third of its kind to the US as Prime Minister. The first visit took place in August 2006, during the year that witnessed mounting violence casting the life of thousands of people. The second visit was carried out in August 2009 after US withdrawal from Iraqi cities.