US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met in Washington on Tuesday, with talks focused on issues including security co-operation before Prime Minister Mohammed Al Sudani's visit next month.
Mr Blinken received Mr Hussein at the State Department, where he said officials were looking forward to Mr Al Sudani's meeting with President Joe Biden, “as well as dealing with some of the immediate challenges on our plate”.
“For us, Iraq is … critical to the stability of the region and, once again, with which we have not only a long-standing relationship, but one that is comprehensive in the issues that it covers,” he said.
Mr Hussein said before the meeting that his delegation would aim to discuss the situation in the Middle East and “the tension there” during the visit, although he did not specify where.
“And we are going to work together also to have less tension in that area,” he said.
The two leaders discussed “efforts to enhance the Baghdad-Erbil relationship, bring economic benefits to all Iraqis, improve Iraq’s energy independence, strengthen Iraq’s ability to fully exercise its sovereignty, and promote stability and security for all Iraqis”, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
Mr Al Sudani, who will visit the White House on April 15, continues to be under pressure to ensure the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
There are about 2,500 US troops in Iraq serving in an advise-and-assist capacity as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Talks are continuing between Washington and Baghdad over the future role of the anti-ISIS coalition in Iraq.
Both leaders “reaffirmed their commitment to the Higher Military Commission process”, Mr Miller said, referring to talks on the future of the US presence in the country.
The process “will enable the transition to a durable bilateral security partnership between Iraq and the United States and help to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS”, he said.
Mr Hussein's visit also follows a series of US strikes on Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq last month, in retaliation for attacks on American troops in the Middle East.
Maj Gen Yahya Rasool, Mr Al Sudani's military spokesman, called the strikes a “violation of Iraq's sovereignty”.
ISIS still a threat, diplomats say after Moscow attack
Mr Blinken and Mr Hussein also warned that the recent terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow showed that ISIS remains a threat in the region and elsewhere.
At least 137 people were killed in the attack at Crocus City Hall on March 22, which was claimed by ISIS-Khorasan, which is mainly based in Afghanistan.
“This is a very unfortunate reminder that we have to continue to deal with ISIS and make sure that doesn't revive,” Mr Blinken said.
“Despite the very good work that we've done over the years, and dealing with that threat … we're reminded by the horrific attack outside of Moscow just a few days ago that ISIS remains a potentially potent force and one that we have to continue to deal with.”
Mr Hussein joined Mr Blinken in condemning the attack, saying it showed ISIS remained a threat to peace in the Middle East and around the globe.
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Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Barings Bank
Barings, one of Britain’s oldest investment banks, was
founded in 1762 and operated for 233 years before it went bust after a trading
scandal.
Barings Bank collapsed in February 1995 following colossal
losses caused by rogue trader Nick Lesson.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Sunday's fixtures
- Bournemouth v Southampton, 5.30pm
- Manchester City v West Ham United, 8pm
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
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