Maliki receives CENTCOM chief

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received at his office on Sunday the chief of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) General James Mattis and discussed together means to continue Iraqi-U.S. cooperation in all fields, a statement by Maliki’s office said. “The Iraqi armed forces and security agencies have reached a high degree of efficiency and full responsibility all over the country,” Maliki was quoted in the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The stability of Iraq, in light of tension taking its toll on the region, was the outcome of strengthening democracy, respect for the people’s will and protection of freedoms,” he said. The Iraqi premier said his country would occupy its proper position in the region and the world thanks to “its political, security and economic stability.” For his part, Mattis expressed the United States’ readiness to cooperate with Iraqi in all fields, particularly in armament and training. Mattis praised the Iraqi army and security agencies’ preparedness and abilities to maintain security and order. The meeting was attended by U.S. ambassador in Baghdad James Jeffrey. AmR (TS) 1215