BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met top US diplomat Rex Tillerson in Baghdad on Monday, challenging the secretary of state over his comments on Iranian militias in Iraq. The group answers to the prime minister’s office and parliament has voted to integrate it into state forces. Last week, central government forces wrested back control of the disputed oil-rich province from Kurdish forces in a sweeping operation after a controversial Kurdish independence vote. Both federal and Kurdish forces have been key US allies in the war against IS. Before flying to Baghdad, Tillerson earlier on Monday also made a previously unannounced trip to Afghanistan, following the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Source: Manila Times October 24, 2017 02:48 UTC