Iraqi President Salih, Trump Discuss Reducing Foreign Presence On Iraqi Soil

Iraqi President Barham Salih has met with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss reducing the number of foreign forces in the country, the president's office said on Wednesday

CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd January, 2020) Iraqi President Barham Salih has met with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss reducing the number of foreign forces in the country, the president's office said on Wednesday.

"The Iraqi President discussed with US President the presence and reduction of foreign forces in the country, as well as the importance of the Iraqi people demands to maintain the national sovereignty and provide security and stability," the office said, following the two leaders' meeting at the 50th annual World Economic Forum, which is being held in Switzerland's Davos through Friday.

Salih added that Iraq sought to establish balanced relations with all neighboring countries and its allies to enhance the country's territorial integrity and economic development.

Trump, in turn, reiterated the United States' support for stability in Iraq and intent to enhance mutual cooperation.

Earlier in January, the Iraqi parliament voted to expel all foreign forces from the country. The move came shortly after the US ordered a drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad, to which Iran responded by firing missiles at two Iraqi bases hosting soldiers from the United States and its allies.