WASHINGTON
Iraqi Premier Nouri al Maliki met with US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey Thursday to discuss bilateral security cooperation.
According to a readout provided by the Pentagon, “both leaders reiterated their commitment to the United States and Iraq defense and security relationship” during their meeting.
It added, “Secretary Hagel and Prime Minister Maliki discussed the political and security situation in Iraq, reviewed regional cooperation activities, and considered ways to strengthen U.S.-Iraq strategic cooperation given the challenges in the region. Secretary Hagel stressed the important role that Iraq has in maintaining regional stability.”
Maliki thanked Dempsey and Hagel "for the sacrifices made by U.S. troops in Iraq from 2003 to 2011."
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