Kerry in Baghdad, Meets Top Officials

Local Editor

As part of his Middle East tour, US Secretary of State John Kerry landed in Baghdad on Friday.

The aim of the visit, according to the State Department's spokesman, is to back Iraq's government as it battles the terrorists, struggles with a financial crisis and attempts to carry out reforms.

Kerry will meet Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, John Kirby said.

He will "underscore our strong support for the Iraqi government as it addresses significant security, economic, and political challenges," Kirby said.

Kerry, who is visiting Iraq for the first time since 2014, will "discuss the [US-led] coalition's continued support for Iraqi-led efforts against" Daesh, Kirby said.

This comes as Abadi is seeking to replace the current cabinet with a government of technocrats, a move that has faced opposition from powerful parties and politicians that rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds.

Abadi has announced a series of reform measures aimed at curbing government waste and corruption, and improving abysmal public services, but has faced significant opposition behind the scenes, and little in the way of real, lasting change has been accomplished.

In February, the premier called for "fundamental" change and a cabinet including technocrats and academics, as opposed to the current lineup of party-affiliated ministers.

"In terms of the political wrangling in Iraq, it's certainly an issue that concerns us," a State Department official said.

Kerry will "encourage the Iraqis, while they're dealing with the cabinet reshuffle, not to lose sight of the need to stay focused on the fight against "ISIS"," the official said.

But "the handling of this reshuffle... is useful, it's needed, because Prime Minister Abadi, from a very early stage in his premiership, has recognized the need for reform."

Iraqi forces have regained significant ground north and west of Baghdad, including Anbar provincial capital Ramadi and Salaheddin capital Tikrit.

Baghdad's forces are now fighting to in Heet, and have already regained control of many parts of the town.

Apart from the city of Fallujah, Heet was one of the largest population centers in Anbar still held by Daesh, and losing it would be the latest in a string of setbacks for the terrorists.

Kerry traveled to Iraq after visiting the small but strategic Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, where he held talks with Gulf Arab foreign ministers on the conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Kerry called on Iran to help end the wars raging in Yemen and Syria, where Tehran and its Gulf Arab rivals are backing opposing sides.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team