Biden expresses support for Iraqi PM’s reforms

Biden expresses support for Iraqi PM’s reforms 

By Rudaw   yesterday at 10:43
 

US Vice President Joe Biden, right, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi at an April 2015 meeting in Washington, AFP photo.
   
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – US Vice President Joe Biden told Iraq’s Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi that Washington stands behind his efforts at government reform “to strengthen transparency, national unity, and accountability.”

Biden’s office said in a press release that the vice president had telephoned Abadi, following the prime minister’s cabinet reshuffle on Thursday.

Biden “welcomed the Prime Minister's political reform efforts and reaffirmed continued U.S. support for steps, in concert with Iraqi political leaders, to strengthen transparency, national unity, and accountability,” the statement said.

Both parties discussed “the latest political and security developments in Iraq,” it added.

Biden also “underscored the critical importance of sustaining momentum in the fight against ISIL and reviewed ongoing U.S. efforts to support Iraqi Security Forces,” the statement said, referring to the Islamic State group that the Iraqi Army is fighting to push out of vast tracts of territory.

On Thursday, Abadi announced a cabinet reshuffle in which he proposed 16 new ministers.

Abadi has been under intense pressure to implement reforms, at a time when the Iraqi economy is reeling from plummeting oil prices and the war with ISIS. 

Last week Baghdad reached agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has promised $15 billion to Iraq over three years if the government can curb spending.

“The Vice President commended the Prime Minister for engaging constructively with the IMF to address fiscal challenges and unlock access to international financial assistance,” the White House statement said.

http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/02042016

bump