U.S. Defense Minister Ashton Carter left the Iraqi capital Baghdad and headed to Erbil on Friday, as part of a visit to the region that included Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel.
Local media reported that Peshmerga Minister Mustafa Sayed Qader greeted Carter at Erbil International Airport.
Carter had met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri.
He is scheduled to visit Turkey next, according to media reports.
By Ossama Elshamy
Anadolu Agency
enerji@aa.com.tr