Washington's Kerry meets Iraqi FM in Baghdad

By Haydar Hadi

BAGHDAD

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday met Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Baghdad to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments, particularly the ongoing fight against the Daesh terrorist group, according to an Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement.

In his discussions with Kerry, al-Jaafari reiterated Baghdad’s commitment to maintaining the country’s territorial integrity and reestablishing control over territories lost earlier to Daesh.

He also voiced his appreciation for the support given to Iraq by the U.S and the international community in the ongoing fight against the terrorist group, stressing the country’s need for additional support.

Kerry, for his part, expressed Washington’s appreciation for the role played by Iraq in regional counter-terrorism efforts and the fight against Daesh.

Kerry also spoke about his recent visit to Bahrain, saying leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states had discussed means of supporting Iraq's fight against terrorism, along with planned reconstruction efforts in territories recently "liberated" from Daesh.

Kerry also noted that $155 million had already been earmarked to help displaced populations in Iraq return to their homes, stressing that the U.S. was prepared to offer further aid.

According to the U.S. secretary of state, Washington is prepared to call on the International Money Fund (IMF) to extend further financial assistance to conflict-battered Iraq.

At a press conference held in the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Kerry said that Iraq’s anticipated new "technocratic" government was a "domestic affair".

He went on to stress, however, that Iraq needed a functioning government to allow a U.S.-led international coalition against Daesh to achieve its stated objectives.